Kelly Wainwright
Cape Town, South Africa
510-846-2170 (US via WhatsApp) | +27714649864 (South Africa)
kellywilderwainwright@gmail.com | http://www.kellywainwright.com

PROFILE

Kelly Wainwright is a mutidisciplinary artist, writer, and experience-maker whose work spans painting, immersive installations, movement, events, retreats, and podcasting.

Over the past two decades, she has conceived and produced large-scale public art projects, experiential events, photography projects, workshops, retreats, and community-based creative experiences. Her clients and collaborators have included Google, Eventbrite, Global Business Network, and numerous cultural organizations, while independent projects have been featured in Oprah Magazine, Elle Decor, Design Indaba, and other international publications.

Across all media, her work explores participation, play, curiosity, and connection—inviting people into experiences that engage the body, imagination, and the unexpected.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Visual Artist & Conceptualist

Abstract Paintings — Recent Work, Bottled Energy

  • Returned to a new chapter of paintings with an emphasis on abstract works using acrylics and mixed media on canvas (often raw) and paper, exploring the intersection of intuition, color, composition, and throwing all caution to the wind.
  • Developed a new series of mostly large-scale paintings, experimenting with scribbling & gestural marks, pushing the boundaries of abstraction and play.
  • Currently connecting and aligning with galleries and collectors with a variety of canvases and works on paper.

Gallery Representation & Exhibitions:

Abstract Writings — Recent Work, b. Wilder

  • Wrote a book “by accident” — blogs, vlogs, haikus, and poems accumulated over the years, culminating in a collection of approximately 30 poems.
  • Selected for publication and greenlit by She Writes Press (Berkeley, California), following a manuscript review process.
  • Featured alongside daughter Eyala Wainwright in iseeyousee online magazine in a feature called FOR THE LOVE OF SEA & SURF: a mom and daughter story.

Podcasting — The Way We Live (2026–Present)

Creator & Co-Host

  • Co-created and hosts The Way We Live, a podcast exploring family, creativity, travel, belonging, alternative education, and life between cultures.
  • Features both personal conversations and interviews with artists, adventurers, entrepreneurs, surfers, educators, and other interesting humans about how they live, what they value, and the unconventional paths that have shaped their lives.
  • Distributed internationally through Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
  • Accompanied by a growing Substack publication featuring essays, travel stories, reflections, and podcast updates.

Current Installation

Kiosk of Curiosity (2025)

Collaborating with son Ezra Wainwright on a public art project designing a bubble-gum pink fantasy streetscape of downtown Cape Town using 3D printing. Curated by Mission for Inner City Cape Town.

KinK — Work in Progress

A multi-installation project involving 5+ different installations on a desert farm site or similarly juxtaposed context, incorporating models, live music, bright fabric, paints, and more. Currently connecting with patrons and potential collaborators, most notably pitching Coldplay.

Too Much/Not Enough — Work in Progress

A 5-part immersive installation series exploring relief, addiction, and consumer rituals through oversized candy, pill mounds, pink toilets, and peanut butter chaos. Currently seeking institutional partnerships and production collaborators.

Movement Lab — MoFlo

Installation & Photography — Play Jump Eat (2009–2011)

Visionary, Conceptualist, Art Director & Producer — Cape Town, South Africa

Conceptualized and produced a large-scale, multimedia photography project in Cape Town, bringing on board 4 local photographers (Inge Prins, Charley Pollard, Antonia Steyn, Saul Wainwright), featuring over 100 models, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and acclaimed local band Freshlyground, receiving global recognition. Featured in Elle Decor, Oprah Magazine, and many other local and international publications. Play Jump Eat was documented in two chapters — Bed Jump & Cape Couture

Exhibitions & Collaborations:

  • Infecting the City, Cape Town — Feb. 2010 (chosen artist for prestigious festival)
  • Exposure Gallery, Cape Town — May 2010
  • Misael Art Space, Cape Town — June 2010
  • Olympia Café, Cape Town — 2010
  • Proactive planning initiative for PJE auction with Complete Events, for 300 seats at Groot Constantia, 2010
  • Interview with the Danish Library Association, Copenhagen (via Skype), 2010
  • Represented by The Imaginarium, Cape Town, 2010
  • Collaboration with Amelia John Photography on USA Bed Jump shoots, Madison/Pardeeville, WI — 2012
  • Presenter at Pecha Kucha, San Francisco — 2012

Press & Publications:

Magazines:

  • Elle Decor Magazine — Feature on “Play Jump Eat”, 2/2010
  • Oprah Magazine (South Africa) — Feature on “Play Jump Eat”, 7/2010
  • Design Indaba Magazine — 2-page spread, 2/2010
  • Itch Magazine — Multiple Issues
  • Top Billing — Use of images, 2010
  • City Views Magazine — 9/2009
  • 021 Magazine — 4/2010
  • Golden Arrow German Magazine — First Issue, “2010 South African Fever”
  • British Airways In-flight Magazine (Horizons) — 2/2010

Newspapers:

  • South African Art Times, 2010
  • Daily Voice Newspaper, 2010
  • Sunday Independent Newspaper — 2/2010
  • Mail & Guardian Newspaper — 2/2010
  • Cape Argus Newspaper — Front Page of Tonight Section, 2010
  • London Paper, “The South African”, 2010
  • Die Burger Newspaper — 1/2010

Online & Blogs:

  • OkayAfrica, 2011
  • Cape Town Creatives Interview — 4/2010
  • IOL.co.za, 2010
  • Design Indaba Blog — 3/2010
  • Creative Cape Town Blog — 1/2010
  • Rachelwcole.com Blog — Summer 2010
  • Multiple additional blogs, 2010

Television:

  • E-TV — 2/2010

Published Books:

  • Oxford University Press Southern Africa: Grade 9 Arts & Culture Textbook — Feb. 2010
  • Print: Fashion, Interiors, Art by Simon Clarke, Published by Laurence King — Feb. 2014

Arts-Based Events Company — Messy Monkey Arts (2004–2010)

Founder, Creative Director — San Francisco Bay Area

Creative experiential-events company specializing in original, out-of-the-box ideas. Clients included Google, Eventbrite, and Global Business Network.

Signature Programs:

  • Teambuilding: Dynamic, immersive group experiences combining a playful lens on art in unique settings, culminating in gallery shows and boardroom exhibits.
  • CRE8: Fundraising events involving 8 artists, 8 canvases, and 8 minutes of painting each, culminating in high-energy art auctions.
  • Party in a Box: DIY package of interactive, art-based exercises with original games and recorded soundtrack produced by Frank Zincavage (of Romeo Void).
  • Mobile Recess: Co-founded spontaneous “messy-monkey-like” games delivered by trendy bus during lunch breaks.
  • Experiential Events: Somatic movement workshops, outside-the-box parties, travel curation, and photography gigs.

Press:

  • Eventbrite Blog — 7/2011
  • Oakland Local — Summer 2010
  • SF Gate — 6/2010
  • The Oakbook — 11/2008
  • Oakland North — 11/2008
  • The 510 Report — 11/2008
  • Biz Bash — 11/2007

Selected Events:

  • Guest Artist/Movement Workshop, Bridges for Music, Langa, Cape Town — 2020
  • Installation/Photography collaboration with Paige Green Photography, Petaluma, CA — 2008
  • Keep the Kids Salty Raffle + Surf Documentary Night, Cape Town — 2026:: Conceived, produced, and managed a fundraising event at Jack Black Taproom supporting Ezra Wainwright’s participation in World Class Surf Academy, selling 348 raffle tickets, securing 25 sponsored prizes, raising R27,676. She served as a local liason and creative host for 3 surf doccies, featuring SURPRISE by NY filmmakers.

Paintings 1.0 (2001–2005) — Pink Ladies

San Francisco Bay Area

  • Fell into a painting career from whimsical mixed-media signs made for Rainbow Orchards, shown at SF Bay Area Farmer’s Markets.
  • Had a plethora of shows in the area selling a significant number of paintings, evolving from works on paper to large-scale acrylic paintings on canvas.
  • Scouted by Rockwell, Sense Fine Art, Woodside, CA — 2002
  • Represented statewide, Lyssa Morgan Gallery, Florida — 2004
  • Acceptance for Grant Fellowship, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT — 2003

Exhibitions & Special Projects:

  • A substantial number of shows in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, 2001–2005
  • Collective show by resident artists, Lyssa Morgan Gallery, Tampa, Florida — 2004
  • Commissioned Mural, private residence, Cape Town — January 2003
  • Commissioned Painting, Traci’s Gourmet Granola, Oakland, CA — Winter 2003
  • Commissioned Large-Scale Paintings, Monterrey Market, Berkeley, CA — Spring 2003
  • Guest Artist/Speaker, Island High School, Alameda, CA — Fall 2003
  • Conceptual design for future indoor market, Agricultural Institute of Marin, San Rafael, CA — 2005
  • Commissioned design illustrations for print, Blue Lotus Bags, Santa Cruz, CA — 2005
  • Commissioned Mural/Lettering, Namaste Yoga Studio, Truckee, CA — 2011

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Interior Architecture

University of Oregon, 2000

  • Thesis: Designed a Movement Therapy Center
  • Minored in Architecture and Art History (with a near-minor in Dance)
  • National Honors Society

Study Abroad:

  • Eben Haezer Youth Hostel Internship, Amsterdam, The Netherlands — March 1993
  • Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS), Copenhagen, Denmark — Summer 1999
  • Fackelbararnas Bibelskola, Sweden — 1992–1993