Kione is a fine artist based in London. She graduated from Wimbledon College of Arts with a BA in Fine Art painting in 2017. Her Jamaican/ German/ British background informs her work strongly as a person of dual heritage who grew up in London. Throughout her art practice she explores ideas of identity, the black beauty industry and the significance of hair within it.
She works with predominantly painting, mixed media collage, and sculpture.
Alongside her art practice, she is a freelance nail artist and has worked on editorial shoots and music videos including Ray BLK's '50/50' and Skepta, D Double E and ASAP Nast's 'Ladies Hit Squad', which helped gain a loyal following due to her creative edge on fingernails as well on canvas. She sees nail art as a creative outlet which can be directly linked to her art work.
She began to paint onto clothing in late 2015 as a side project and some of her hand painted garments have since been featured in the 'Art Issue' of Suitcase magazine and on Shura’s ‘Nothing’s Real’ album cover and now also takes commissions for painted clothing.
EDUCATION
2014 - 2017
Wimbledon College of Arts (UAL) - BA Fine Art: Painting
2012 -2014
Hampstead Fine Arts College, London
EXHIBITIONS
Sept 2019- ‘AKRA’- Collaborative show
Htown studio, London
Aug 2019- ‘The Hair Appointment’- Group show
Peckham Palms, London
Feb 2019- ‘CWDT’- Group show
Five Miles, Tottenham, London
June 2017- ‘The Woon prize’- Group show
Baltic 39, Newcastle upon Tyne
June 2017- Wimbledon BA degree show- Group show
Wimbledon College of arts, London
March 2017- ‘108 Nails’- Group show
Copeland gallery, Peckham, London
April 2016- ‘Highlights’- Group show
Michael Wray hair salon, London
June 2015- Wimbledon BA Year 1 show- Group show
Wimbledon College of arts, London
COMMISSIONS
July 2019- Nataal magazine- COLLAGED HAIR STORY collaborative editorial commission- Collaged and creative directed ‘When Dry Style as Required’ editorial
Feb 2019- Mixpaak Records- SINGLE COVER artwork commission
Single cover artwork for Afro B, Vybz Kartel and Dre Skulls ‘Shape Nice’ single
Aug 2018- Yeezy- PUBLIC ARTWORK commission
Two public artworks painted for the launch of new Yeezy collection. Yvette’s bar, Delroy’s Barbershop, Port Antonio, Jamaica
June 2018- Savage- HEADPIECE commission
Created headpieces to be worn in Rihanna’s ‘Savage’ underwear campaign
June 2018- My 2cents- PUBLIC ARTWORK commission
Table triptych painted for the restaurant, Pico blvd, Los Angeles
Jan 2018- Man About Town magazine 10th anniversary edition- WEARABLE ART commission- Painted wearable pieces commissioned for editorial shoot
Nov 2017- K Swiss- PUBLIC ARTWORK commission
Mural on exterior of music recording studio, Buzwaak records, Ferndale rd Brixton
Apr 2017- Jah Jah Le Tricycle- PUBLIC ARTWORK commission
Mural painted inside of restaurant, Paris, France
March 2017- Fades n Blades
Painting commissions to be hung on barbershop wall, London
July 2016- Yvette’s Bar- PUBLIC ARTWORK commission
Painted exterior of bar, Port Antonio, Jamaica
Nov 2014- Pum Pum socks- FLYER
Designed the brands launch invite artwork, London
Sept 2014- Stella McCartney- LIVE PAINTING at event
One of five artists chosen to live paint the ‘green carpet collection’ during a VIP event, London
PRESS
Sept 2019- All the Pretty Birds- ONLINE PUBLICATION
Article and interview about my work and inspiration (https://www.alltheprettybirds.com/meeting-kione-grandison/)
Sept 2019- Elle magazine- ONLINE PUBLICATION
(https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/hair/g28717567/artists-celebrating-power-of-black-hair/)
Dec 2018-Infringe magazine- IN PRINT
A collage of mine used to illustrate a panel discussion titled ‘The art and politics of Black hair’
Nov 2018- Klass of K Swiss zine- IN PRINT
Three page spread interview about my Brixton mural project and influences
March 2018- Hairs How Russia magazine- IN PRINT
Three page spread interview about my work and influences
Aug 2017- Infringe magazine online- ONLINE PUBLICATION
Interview about my work (https://www.infringe.com/kione-grandison/)
Jan 2017- The Fader online- ONLINE PUBLICATION
(http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/31/instagram-braiders-hair-shani-crowe-nikki-nelms)
Oct 2016- ThandieKay.com- ONLINE PUBLICATION
Interview about myself and my work (http://thandiekay.com/2016/10/21/oyin-akande-talks-young- artist-kione-grandison)
July 2016- True Africa online- ONLINE PUBLICATION
Interview about my work and influences (http://trueafrica.co/article/this-artist-takes-inspo-from- black-barbershops-to-wangechi-mutu/)
June 2016- Born n Bred zine Issue 3- IN PRINT
Feature and interview about my work
PRIZES
2017 Woon Foundation Painting and Sculpture prize- (Awarded 3rd place)
COLLECTIONS
2017 UAL collection
2015 Taittinger collection