Artist Biography

Kiki Gaffney graduated from Loyola College in Baltimore, MD with a BA in Studio Arts and received an MFA in Painting from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA. Gaffney is primarily a painter and works in oils, and acrylic, often incorporating detailed graphite drawing as well. Gaffney is continually inspired by the visual patterns she notices in her everyday surroundings, whether organically formed in nature or manufactured by human activity. Gaffney’s work juxtaposes animate shapes with design elements; exploring the direct relationship between natural and created atmospheres, and order in her mark making. It is an active meditative process, with the ultimate purpose of highlighting the beauty of configuration and decoration to create a unique space within her work.

Gaffney has held solo exhibitions in Pennsylvania, Utah, Maine, and California. Her work has also been included in exhibitions at The Delaware Contemporary,  The Delaware Art Museum and the Southern Utah Museum of Art. Gaffney was an artist in residence at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018. She was also awarded residencies at the Denver Botanic Gardens and The Montello Foundation, both in 2023.  Her work is represented in public and private collections throughout the United States including Canon USA., Inc, Microsoft, the Denver Botanic Gardens and Sonoma State University.