Karis R.

Those Aren’t Art Supplies
Credit: Karis R.Artist Bio

Karis Rook is in their early 30’s, white European-American, and a non binary “art kid”. Karis was born and raised in Oregon and is a first generation college student; they attribute their success and skillsets to MESD Outdoor School. Both as a student and staff member, Outdoor School created opportunities for all involved to develop leadership skills and to see that other opportunities are possible. “Outdoor School for All”

Karis received an associates transfer degree from Clackamas Community College, a bachelors in American Sign Language Linguistics from Western Oregon University, and was voted “most likely to write the next fantasy best seller” by classmates. Karis worked in education for over ten years, specializing in disability advocacy while working towards being an interpreter. Karis’ systems thinking and desire for inclusion continue to disrupt the status quo and raise the bar of quality of care wherever they go. If a bunch of hippies in the woods can do it, so can some adequately funded organizations.

Artist Statement

Look, dudes. I’m pretty toasted. Like, extra crispy. Burnout is a real and persistent problem with the experience of graduate school and life with an administration actively seeking to harm its citizens. So I wanted to use this time, this project, to be something for me. To use creative expression to make what I needed to. I see creativity as a way of being; an embodied way of interacting with the field. And here’s the thing… I’m extra. Like, EXTRA extra. So when an opportunity for a big project emerges this is what I create. Complex, multimedia, experience.

Humans are builders, and I believe we have an innate need to create. When we follow that flow of inspiration that is unique to us, and operate outside of the confines of what art “should” be, we are able to create the dreams for new realities. And it turns out that my dream has a sense of humor.