Kemlyn Tan Bappe

Peranakan Madonna & Child

A Little History
Artist Kemlyn Tan Bappe, a Peranakan (an intermarriage between the Malay and Chinese cultures in the Straits of Malacca), is a native of Singapore. She now resides in Mount Pleasant, Iowa with her husband, Ed and their three children, Catherine, Dorothy and Dietrich. Getting her start as a child doodling, Kem began painting with oils and pursued her dream as an artist at the age of thirteen. She was able to study under Steven Nesheim and Anna Beyer Maakestad during her time in Hong Kong. She later went to art school at Baylor University in Waco, Texas where she studied with Barry Klingman and Karl Umlauf. Kem has always integrated faith and the arts through her Master of Divinity. She has served in ministerial positions where she explores spirituality and the faith journey through visual and dramatic arts. “If I could do two things at the same time, it would be to advocate for my fellow artists and to produce more art.” Because of her commitment to these two goals, Kem started Imago and acts as an agent, art coach and arts advocate for beginning career and emerging artists. Imago Solutions and Studios was previously located in the East Village, Des Moines and has now relocated to Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Midnight Peranakan Phoenix

About her Art
"Peranakan is a unique culture that is a harmony of the Malay and Chinese people in the Straits of Malacca. Our heritage is rich with our own dress, jewelry, furniture, food and linguistic idiosyncracies. Having been educated and influenced by teachers and artistic voices in both the east and west, my work is a dialogue. I hope to interpret my rich traditions with a contemporary voice that resonates cross-culturally."

Both folk and traditional Peranakan artisans influence Kem's work, where she focuses on vibrant colors and patterns. Artists from the Yunnan School of Art and local artists, Jane Elgin & Janet Hart Heinicke have also been major influencers of Kem's work.

"My mission in life is to celebrate the imago dei (latin) or "image of God" within each person that comes my way. I hope that my life and my commitment to the creative process will inspire others to connect with the divine and the beautiful in themselves and in others."”

Flying Dragon

With Metro Arts
Kem joined Metro Arts Alliance about 2 years ago and has since coordinated fine arts programs for schools like Rolling Green using Metro Arts Alliance artists. Kem has also been active with Metro Arts Jazz in July at Greenwood Park and will be an exhibiting artist in the Metro Arts Two Rivers Expo 2007.

An Entrepreneur
Imago is an art business that Kem began recently to provide support to artists in coaching, marketing, and self-promotion. She also consults with organizations and companies to put on art events like the Art Pavilion, Asian Heritage Festival 2006 and 2007, and the 2007 Governor’s Inaugural Exhibit. Kim is also a member of Associated Artists of Central Iowa, Iowa Watercolor Society, Association of Latino Artists, East Village Arts Coalition, and Christian Creativity Arts Association.

Coming of Age

Next Up
The Blank Park Zoo has murals on display that Kem has recently done in collaboration with Iowa artist, Lakisha Aller. Octagon Center for the Arts and ArtDive, both carry her work. During the month of August, Kem had paintings and installation work exhibiting at the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake with ALA (Association of Latino Artists).

Upcoming Events:
November 2-4: Two Rivers Art Expo, HyVee Hall, Des Moines
June 2008: 6 Women Show, Ankeny Art Center, Ankeny

In September, Kem is coordinating the Drake’s “Rural Lands, Rural Livelihoods Juried Art Competition. This show highlights the importance of sustainable agriculture and also the joys of rural living.

"I believe that it is great for artists and the community at large to have opportunities like these to showcase and sell their work. I believe that as human beings we have an intrinsic and a spiritual need to engage the creative."

Kem has been invited to be keynote speaker at a women’s conference in Minnesota at the end of September. In this conference, she will be inviting women to consider interpreting their faith journey through their own language of creativity..

Contact Kem at:

Imago
505 East Warren Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641
(319) 601-6567 (Cell)
Email: kemfysh@yahoo.com
http://kemfysh.multiply.com