Current Artist-in-Residence: Nicole Kita

Nicole Kita’s work takes on a clinical aesthetic of the instructional diagram, through acrylic paintings, graphite drawings, silkscreen prints, and di-cut vinyl installations. By utilizing conventional signifier of self-preservation, survival, fear, mortality, and loss, including life jackets, inflatable rescue boats, water wings, and surgical masks for public health protection, Kita investigates the belief in these objects in contrast to the shortcomings of the actual, physical object. Kita writes, “Despite the fallibility of the objects in the event of true crisis, there is tremendous comfort in knowing that one is taking incremental measures against disaster; the life jacket under your plane seat actually is reassuring.” Kita is currently investigating the mimetic qualities, transactional symbols, and legitimizing practices of ritual, or symbolic healing.

During her residency at Spudnik Press, Kita plans to create a series of editioned screen prints in response to her investigations of Chicago’s: antiquated pharmacies, apothecaries, hospitals, medical centers, and botanicas. She intends to integrate the printed material into the public sphere through site -specific installations.

Kita was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and received her MFA from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Kita has been both a screen printing instructor and printmaking technician at an interdisciplinary institution. She now lives and works in Chicago. A portfolio of her work is available at: www.nicolekita.com