We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kyle Selley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kyle, thanks for joining us today. Is there a lesson you learned in school that’s stuck with you and has meaningfully impacted your journey?
At the Kansas City Art Institute, I quickly began to realize that there really aren’t many rules in art-making. I had started experimenting with fireworks and smoke, curious if something so unstable could become part of my practice. No one told me not to. That freedom to try something unpredictable opened everything up.
Around then, I also noticed that most artists didn’t have just one job. They taught, took freelance gigs, applied for grants, etc. I realized I’d have to be flexible too. There aren’t many clear paths in the arts. You have to try different things, stay active, and keep showing your work. That’s how the opportunities start to build.
Kyle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Kyle Selley, an artist from Kansas City, now based in Gainesville, Florida. My work explores contrast, spirituality, and materiality using unconventional materials—especially fireworks. What began as a childhood fascination turned into a serious part of my practice while studying at the Kansas City Art Institute.
I create firework residue paintings by igniting fireworks over surfaces like canvas, wood, and plexiglass. The resulting marks capture both chaos and stillness, juxtaposing the ephemeral and the enduring. I also work in video, performance, and ceramics, always looking for new ways to express emotional depth.
What sets my work apart is the mix of experimentation and poetic harmonization of material. I aim to create work that invites reflection and encourages viewers to find meaning in the unexpected.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Using my experience to help younger artists
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Material innovation, along with the expression of self and abstract ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kyleselley.com
- Instagram: k.selley_studios
