Kesh is the multi-disciplinary artist refusing to be categorised

Kesh is a multifaceted British artist whose creative prowess transcends the realms of visual art, music, and fashion. She first established her artistic voice through acclaimed international solo exhibitions and most recently showcased some of her artwork at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York for their Poetry & Pose: Screen Test by Andy Warhol exhibition.

Beyond fine art, Kesh is a DJ who joined pop star Anitta on her 2022 Summer Tour, an art director and photographer who produced the Good American 2022 campaign with 90s powerhouse group TLC, and so much more.

Her work defies conventions, seamlessly melding creative technology with experimental soundscapes. We spoke to Kesh about her most recent exhibition, an experience that profoundly influenced her artistic perspective, and the worst advice she’s ever received. 

What initially inspired you to combine various artistic practices, such as visual art, music, design, and fashion?

Kesh: It happened very naturally. I’ve always had a creative mind and experimented with multiple mediums. I wanted to do fashion design, but I also had a deep passion and interest in music. The visual art evolved through applying my artworks to clothing, then broke off into its own expression as I gained exposure to Fine Art. My love of music allowed me to build a personal musical archive that spans many genres, which I apply to DJing and later music production, which has been a beautiful journey. Although I was encouraged to choose one path, it wasn’t possible. I explored all mediums and built in each area as I moved forward.

What came first for you: music, visual art, design or fashion?

Kesh: It’s hard to say. All were in flow at the same time. As a young child, I would collect a lot of music and play specific songs on repeat, obsessing over the rhythm and production of a track. But at the same time, I’d make little outfits for my Barbies and put on fashion shows. I studied ballet and gymnastics and wanted to maybe become a ballerina one day. However, once I was told there weren’t many opportunities for ‘Black ballerinas’, it shifted my perspective, and I think since I was already such a hyper-creative, I decided to choose something that wasn’t so front-facing. Now that I think about it, it’s pretty sad that I had to make those kinds of pivots at 14, but ultimately, my passions were spread across many mediums anyway.

My first real step as an independent artist was in design. I was drawing on clothing, creating artwork I would print onto t-shirts and sell online. I would create my own little worlds and continuously expand upon the vision. But simultaneously, I was beginning to DJ, making my artwork, creative directing, and being a fashion editor at an underground magazine, so I’ve always been a jack of all trades. It’s hard to say what my first artistic love was – I think it was just creating in general.

“It’s hard to say what my first artistic love was. I think it was just creating in general” – Kesh

Can you tell us more about exhibiting your work and performing at the Ki Smith Gallery, alongside unique screen tests by Andy Warhol, and what that experience meant to you?

Kesh: Honestly, this was one of the top five moments of my life. It was such an incredible experience to create a world within an Andy Warhol exhibition and move through my many mediums within one show. I created an experience that focuses on my process as an artist, exploring previous series and shows, creating new live works, and performing new unreleased music on stage. We displayed 26 artworks from my previous shows and personal archives, which were also available to collect. It was a huge undertaking and took a large team to execute since there were many moving parts. Still, it unfolded beautifully as everybody’s contribution of time, energy, focus, and passion helped build an incredible experience. 

I say it’s one of the top five moments of my life because I feel that this was the first time I had covered every area of my artistic and creative expression in one show. Usually, it’s compartmentalised in ways – a visual art show, a live music performance, a clothing release, a DJ set, or a live drawing — but that night, it was everything. All together. All at once. And for me, that was healing. I felt complete like all my puzzle pieces had finally been together.

Can you describe a moment or experience that profoundly influenced your artistic perspective or direction?

Kesh: The passing of my friend Ian changed me a lot. He was an incredible producer that went by the name of ‘Napolian’ and we made a lot of work together. Beyond our friendship, we intensely focused on music and spent many hours working on it. I would produce these beats, write these songs, and then collaborate with Ian to evolve them into insane tunes. I can’t count how many hours we were in the studio, fully locked in. I have a pretty solid sound in terms of my production, and so did Ian, so when we combined our worlds, we made beautiful work. But we never released any of it. Not a single track.

I’ve mentioned in previous interviews that music is a really vulnerable place for me. I’m used to expressing myself through imagery, so when it comes to sonic frequencies and sharing my voice and words, I feel slightly nervous about putting them out. It wasn’t about what people thought of me, but it was just that I wasn’t used to being so open. So, I would subconsciously find ways never to finish or put the work out.

Ian would always encourage me to be less afraid and to learn to let go of the music and let it enter the world. But I couldn’t. A few years later, I put out a track or two of my own, ‘Not Gaan Out’ and ‘Jadines Escape’, then we hopped on a call and said let’s work on some new stuff together. I sent him some beats and songs I’d made, and we were excited to lock back in. He died shortly after that.

That changed a lot in my life. Ian was young, in his twenties. His sudden passing had a profound effect on me, especially artistically. I know he had so many goals, dreams, and projects that never came to life, and it was a wake-up call for me not to be so caught up in it all. To let go, like he told me. His positive words and attitude inspire me, and I think of him often. I do this for myself, but I also do this for him and the other friends and artists I have lost who never got to see their dreams come to life fully.

What’s the last text you sent?

Kesh: ‘I just wanna do the eclipse and chill’ – me to my babes, Alexa Demie.

What’s your love language?

Kesh: Physical touch. I’m super affectionate to the people I’m close to, and I love cuddles and snuggles with my friends. If I feel safe with you, I’ll be like a kitty cat.

What fictional character do you most relate to and why?

Kesh: Harry Potter because he was an orphan who grew up feeling unwanted and unloved. He then took risks, faced challenges, conquered darkness, and eventually made a nice life for himself. It’s basically my life but in a slightly different format.

You encounter a hostile alien race and sound is their only mechanism for communication. What song would you play to them to inspire them to spare you and the rest of the human race?

Kesh: It’s either that ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole to chill everyone out and settle down the situation, or I’d pull up some CDs and throw on the heaviest hardcore hardstyle track and getting a rager going because who can deny a big banger? I’d have to read the mood and the vibe of the hostile alien race, but those are my two options.

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given?

Kesh: Just choose one thing and do that.