Katt Naz’s Art Carries The Love Torch Of Immigrant Stories

For International artists day Reform The Funk surfed the globe for artists and individuals actively inspiring and pushing important conversations within culture. We didn’t limit our reach and welcomed musicians, photographers, painters, poets (you name it) to submit their best or more recent works. If they were able to cross our radar then they definitely embodied the ‘Funk’ in Reform The Funk. After being flooded with amazing entries and after a careful selection process we arrived at a happy decision where we could celebrate some supreme talents.

Meet Katt Naz, the Miami native who creates art that feels true to her struggles as well as vindicating her successes. The self-taught artist submitted her stunning work to Reform The Funk titled, ‘Amore De Madre’, which emboldens the personal bond she shares with her mother and their serendipitous journey from Venezuela to America. Coming from an immigrant background, Katt’s story is already unique but the fact that she’s shedding light on the immigrant story is in itself a work of art.

Fluidity is what makes Kat’s work stand out as she embraces ‘process’ from the moment she wakes up to execute detailed brush strokes on canvas or the ability to get lost in her sculptural pieces. Her craft of hand-making is exemplified as she also makes jewellery and home décor further solidifying her organic approach to making art that people can see, touch and… buy! Katt ultimately wants her audience to connect with her work and I’m sure you’ll be compelled to just from this interview alone. Here is Katt, one of our incredible finalists whose talents and words we are delighted to finally share with you.

Tell us about growing up in Miami and how you got started with creating?

Being raised in Miami I constantly found myself facing decisions I was too young to make. Creating was something I always did since I was a child, it helped me to deal and heal from the things I had no control over. It didn’t hit me until I was 24, that making art was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I had to leave Miami to actually focus on my craft because the partying and being part of ‘the scene’ wasn’t what I wanted my life to be about anymore, I always knew I wanted to be more than that. In 2015 my wife and I moved to LA then to Asheville, North Carolina where I finally got serious about my art. It’s now been a little over 2 years since we’ve been back in Miami and it couldn’t have happened at a better time.

People may be surprised to learn that you are a self-taught artist, what made you decide to take this route?

Unfortunately I didn’t get to decide what route I could take, when I was graduating high school I was planning to go to a community college for business but my immigration status got in the way of that. When I realised I wasn’t going to college like everyone was ‘supposed’ to, I started creating and teaching myself little by little in my free time when I wasn’t busy working. Creating art helped me not think about how uncertain my future looked as an immigrant but in the long run everything that happened was for the best. I learned a lot while having to stay under the radar and now, being a citizen, I am happy that I get to pursue my dreams without fear. Finally I can become who I’ve always wanted to be without limitations.

What do you think of the Miami art scene compared to anywhere else in America (or around the world) and has this influenced your decision to create art there?

Well, I grew up in the South Beach area since 1991 and saw all the Art Deco-inspired architecture and colourful fashion of the ‘80s that carried into the early ‘90s. Coming from musician parents and experiencing their creativity along with the diverse culture in Miami, it all deeply impacted who I am as an artist. Living in my early ‘20s in Wynwood I got to experience the city back when it was still an unpopular place that people knew their cars might get broken into. The street art is what made that neighbourhood popular first, which then opened the doors to independent galleries, Art Walk and the few bars highlighting the graffiti/street art outside of their walls. It was impossible not to feel inspired living there then, I miss these days a lot when I walk the streets of Wynwood today because it has changed completely. The only thing that remains the same are the beautiful murals everywhere you look, the rest is all retail shops, restaurants and clubs. The art scene I experienced in Asheville, NC where I lived for only 2 years was very welcoming from the very beginning, it never felt competitive and I’d even meet and paint/draw with artist friends up in the scenic overlooks or around town. Everyone was so nice and easy going plus the energy and air in Asheville feels magical and clean. This small city in the mountains helped me explore myself in ways I never imagined and this was possible because I didn't have to hustle 24/7 to make ends meet. Life there wasn’t as expensive as it is in Miami and that allowed me to slow down, look within and find myself as an artist.

Now that art is easily consumed online through social media, re-shares even memes, how does this make you feel regarding ownership of your work?

If someone shares or uses my work as inspiration to create their own I don’t mind, I think it’s flattering. Now if they’re straight out claiming they created the original piece and gaining profit from it then I would take legal action. This is why I decided to start hiding my signature in what I make.

But I do think social media is a great tool for artists to get their work seen by multiple people around the world without having to leave the comfort of their studio. Plus you could meet and collaborate with other artists you might’ve never had the chance to meet in person.

You use various techniques such as pouring, sculpture, printing and sketching (sometimes combined into one). What do you hope to achieve when people see or can touch your work?

I hope to achieve a feeling of connection through stimulation of the senses. When I paint I love creating textures by using different techniques and materials. When I make accessories I want people to feel good and unique when they’re wearing it, which is why I like to mainly make one of a kind pieces. And when I make sculptures I want it to be something that captures your attention not just for a second but for enough time that it can be admired and thought about later.

Your submission to Reform The Funk titled, ‘Amor De Madre’, speaks beautifully of motherhood, upbringing and culture. What was the inspiration behind this thoughtful piece?

My mother is the inspiration for this painting and the reason why I work so hard to live the life that I want. This painting wasn’t planned at all, the first one was much smaller and I just started by making the lines to create the walls. After that I just went with the flow and once the figure with extended arms was on the canvas I thought, ‘let’s put a baby in her hands.’ As this painting kept evolving I realised it was a painting of my mom and I, so I added little details like her fractured spine because my mom's back is all messed up now from all the years she had to work multiple jobs to put food on the

table and a roof over our heads. The heart of the child is only half and that wasn’t intentional but after I was done with the painting I thought of how I was born with a heart condition that became complicated a few months after we arrived in the US, which led us to staying here and not returning to our home in Venezuela to be able to continue monitoring my heart after surgery. My father was only around until I was 12, leaving my mom to take full responsibilities until I grew up. I never got to grow up with my family in Venezuela, it was mainly my mom and I. She gave up her dream job as a vocalist to give me a chance at life.

““I never got to grow up with my family in Venezuela, it was mainly my mom and I. She gave up her dream job as a vocalist to give me a chance at life””

You are vocal about your immigrant experience, has this part of your identity shaped the art you make consciously or subconsciously?

My work mostly comes from my subconscious, my immigrant experience has helped me become extremely patient and it’s taught me that I can’t control everything. Sometimes you just have to let it be and try to focus more on the process than the outcome. I’ve deeply ingrained this way of thinking into my art-making now more than ever.

You actively video document your creative process on your Instagram, this is something that some artists shy away from. How does sharing this part of your journey make you feel?

Honestly, it’s a struggle documenting my process because I’d rather jump around from piece to piece. If I get an idea for the jacket I’m painting while I’m working on a necklace or wire sculpture, I drop what I’m doing and go add that detail that just popped in my head before I forget. Capturing all that would take me forever considering I have to set up my tripod, camera and lighting, this is what keeps me from constantly documenting my process. I get too overwhelmed by the set up that by the time I go to create I’m over it. The upside is, once it's shot and edited then you have a video of how your creation came to life and that makes it totally worth it if it’s an important piece.

““I hope my art tells the story of a woman that never gave up on her dreams even when life constantly kept trying to keep her down. That embracing your darkness shouldn’t be viewed as bad but essential for us to all grow into our best true selves””

As well as being an artist, you’ve also done some modelling and now you create your own hand-made jewellery. Tell us the role fashion plays in your self-expression?

I love fashion, it plays a big part of who I am and how I express myself. As a child I hated wearing uniforms in school and would get in trouble a lot because of it. I wanted to style and wear my own clothes, not look like everybody else. Growing up I experimented and literally went through all the high-school fashion stereotypes until I graduated. After high-school I began modelling for local clothing and jewellery brands that led me to connect with creatives in the community and I learned how to make jewellery through assisting my good friend Emily Peters(@e.atelier.e), who hand makes most parts of her jewellery. My first shot at making jewellery to sell at pop-ups was with my two friends from high-school who became roommates. We went to thrift stores and estate sales to find materials to make new accessories but soon after they had to relocate and then Naz.13 boutique(@naz.13) was born. That’s where you can find all my handmade pieces now because I’m currently not doing any pop-ups due to covid.

You’ve created album art and logos for artists, collaborated on murals and exhibited your work at galleries. What Is the next step on your creative journey?

So many things have been happening in the past 2 months. I just launched an online art merch shop where I sell my illustrations on eco conscious apparel and accessories. Also about a little over 2 months ago my wife Xue and I started an online shop (@Swayingcatshop) selling journals, books, apparel, accessories and home decor. I’m also getting ready for my first live IG interview with The Brave House (@thebravehouse) a Non-profit supporting young immigrant women in New York. It's going to be on their podcast called Brave Pod on November 24th for Giving Tuesday, the biggest fundraising day of the entire year for nonprofits. Danney, the guest host that will be interviewing me is a childhood friend that pursued a career in immigration law in NYC, we will be collaborating to create a platform for immigrants to share their stories through poetry and art called (@immigrantpoetry). The last thing in my creative journey is that I applied to my first artist residency in Houston, Texas and I will be finding out in December who was selected. This opportunity would jumpstart my research for my goal to one day create my own artist residency surrounded by nature that gives artists a chance to create and learn how to be self-sufficient through gardening and reusing items we throw away everyday to use as materials. Other than that you can always catch up with what I’m up to through IG.

With all that is happening right now, do you think art can change the world?

I think art can help inspire people to think differently but nothing can change what's happening right now in the world besides ourselves. Everyone together can change the world, not just a small percentage.

Follow Katt Naz on Instagram @kattnaz

Interview: Funmi Olagunju

Producer: Mariam Mugambwa