About

Randy Kemp

Painter/ Printmaker/ Award Nominated Native American Flute Player

Choctaw/Muscogee-Creek/Euchee: “Tzo-Ya-Ha” (Children of the Sun)

“The innate drive to become an artist is a way of life that has compelled me to be nothing other than an artist. We are experiencing a new generation of progressive American Indian artists who are utilizing today’s worldwide mediums of art...to express and preserve the dignity, the traditions, and beauty of our Indigenous people.”

Kemp currently retired from Arizona State University as an Environmental Graphic Designer, Sr. with 30 years of experience. He is an Alumnus of the

Katherine K. Herberger College of Arts at Arizona State University in Tempe, a recipient of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in Painting and Printmaking. Before coming to ASU, randy earned an Associate of Arts degree

from the reputed Bacone Junior College in Muskogee, Oklahoma. There he studied under the artistic leadership of prominent American Indian Artists; W. Richard West, Sr., Solomon McCombs and Ruthe Blalock Jones. Randy is a noted artist in the contemporary American Indian art world. He is a multidisciplinary artist whose body of work includes painting, printmaking, mixed media, installation, music and performance. His artwork has been exhibited in prestigious museums, galleries and private collections throughout the world.

“My work includes both traditional tribal life and contemporary works concerning American Indian issues, themes and views. Kemp amuses that his art career really began on the walls of his childhood home in the Bell Gardens community of East Los Angeles. “My older brother would draw landscape

imagery on the patio wall, and I would try to enhance his drawings with shading and lighting...it was like a home art school without the tuition”.

Kemp was selected to perform a Native American flute music prelude for President Barack Obama at Arizona State University’s Graduation Ceremony Commencement, in Sun Devil Stadium with 70,000 in attendance. A commissioned artist by Native American Connections to design and paint two wall murals, at

Stepping Stone community housing: “Mural, Mural on the Wall” and a Women’s

shelter “Morning Star” with the help of 30 volunteers from “Make a Difference Foundation”. He was a founding member of the Mayo Clinic Hospital “Sonata

del Sol” music program, providing flute music for Palliative Care patients and families.

He was also selected by the Big Brothers Big Sisters foundation of Arizona, the

Casino Arizona and the Salt River Pima and Maricopa Indian Community to

design and paint a 10-foot tall fiberglass replica of a Fender Stratocaster guitar

for the “GuitarMania” fundraiser, he named the finished guitar Tribalcaster:

Tribal Language Rocks! As a member of Actor’s workout Inc., he created a one-

man show of “I will fight no more, forever” the incredible anti-war speech of

Chief Joseph (Nez Perce), a story of triumph and tragedy. Appointed adjunct

instructor, Kemp has traveled to Australia (Aboriginal/Korrawinga) and New

Zealand (Maori/Taranaki/Puniho Pa) communities as a part of an Indigenous Cultural and Arts exchange program through Scottsdale Community College.

Other works include music performance and collaborations: An independent recording artist, projects include “Radio Healer” www.radiohealer.com, a flute expressive, improvisation and computer tone generated audio recording with artist/ musician Cristobal Martinez and Raven kemp (son). Randy has also produce

additional independent recording with artist/musician Rykelle Kemp (daughter) entitled “Artificial Red” modern flute music with spoken word, a nominee for the

Native American Music Award (NAMA) in the “Best Spoken Word” category. Additionally, a new recording by Artificial Red called “Rez Radio”, nominated by NAMA and Indigenous Music Awards (Canada). Finally, Kemp has worked in film

and visual arts include acting credits in a short film by Doug Howard: “Chief” filmed on the Salt River Pima Indian Reservation. He has also produced a self- directed video/film short entitled “Metropolitan Rezervation”, Short stories of Native American homeless and survivors, presented in partnership with PBS television series American Experience “We Shall Remain”, a citizen storytelling film project.