Camry Ivory

Lives and works in Kansas City, MO

Artist statement

I am a musician and self-taught artist whose work explores the interplay between color, sound, and technology. Inspired by my multidisciplinary background as well as other artists and musicians who merge visual and sonic expression, I developed Coloratura, a custom-built musical instrument composed of paintbrushes wired to electronic circuits; each time the brushes touch a conductive surface, they generate electronic music and physical art simultaneously. Each brush corresponds to a different musical note and paint color, transforming the act of painting into a multi-sensory experience that emulates synesthesia. I use Coloratura in both live performances and studio settings to create improvised audiovisual works. I begin each piece with a loose structure, leaving space for the work to shift in any direction. As I paint, each brushstroke generates new colors and sounds that inform my next move: whether I respond to the color I see, the note I hear, or the tension between the two senses. My decisions often extend beyond the boundaries of formal artistic and musical conventions; I respond to my surrounding environment, the atmosphere of a room, the energy of a live audience, or my emotional state. The composition flows with its own momentum, and I stay in dialogue with it as it evolves. Though my instrument uses a technological interface, nothing is automated; the work is shaped entirely through human intention and agency. My practice highlights the beautiful, complex nature...

Artwork