ERIN KENDRICK
VISUAL ARTIST | EDUCATOR
erin is creative.
It's other people doing the calling that bothers me.
-Octavia Butler
BIO
Erin Kendrick is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and educator whose work centers on the lived experiences of Black women and girls. Through evocative, color-saturated portraiture and immersive installations, she explores themes of space, selfhood, and safety. Her stained, fluid acrylic paintings often depict figures in dialogue with one another, creating environments where they affirm, witness, and protect. Kendrick transforms galleries and museums into contemplative spaces where viewers are drawn into the visual narrative—challenging the separation between observer and subject and prompting deeper reflection on the roles we play in visual culture.​​​
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ARTIST STATEMENT
Pikin., my body of work on Black girlhood, is an expression of our origin stories—particularly the moments when we first realized that we were not safe. These are the points in time when our awareness sharpened, and we began to learn a codified language of survival. Through this work, I reflect on how we inherit and perform an unspoken system of signals—subtle gestures, shared glances, shifts in tone, and cultural cues—that help us navigate unsafe spaces. This quiet language of care and caution, passed from woman to girl, forms a protective bond. It allows us to recognize one another, create a sense of belonging, and shield ourselves from inherent harm, whether real or imagined. Even within that vigilance, we still always make space for joy.​​
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PRESS & PUBLICATIONS
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
EDUCATION CONSULTANT
CREATIVE CONSULTANT
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Visual Arts Curriculum Design
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Program Strategist for Creative Youth Development
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Professional Development for Teaching Artists
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Professional Development for Emerging Artists​
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Creative Concept Development
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Visual Storytelling for Historical and Cultural Initiatives
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Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving
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Collaboration with Civic and Cultural Organizations