We had the good fortune of connecting with Camila Knigge Unibe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Camila, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Not just as an artist, but a core belief that guides me through everything that I do is my commitment to the liberation of all oppressed people in this world. Although I’m still learning what my purpose is and how I can be of service to this world and to myself, I have often found my voice and means to accomplish this through my Art.
I believe that my paintings are conversation starters, they are stories, and open up entire universes up, where we can face the deepest parts of ourselves.
I hope that my paintings offer reflection and meditation on their role in the healing and creation of a better, freer more loving world. In a world that moves so fast and is often so overwhelming I hope my paintings can bring a bit of peace, and silence in the midst of it all.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve had the opportunity to experiment with various different mediums growing up, but I have found my calling and mastery in Oil painting. I love that it’s so malleable, so easily changed and altered. It’s definitely a tedious medium to work with, it requires patience, not just in it’s drying process, but with the set up and clean up. It becomes almost meditative. When I paint I no longer think or perceive, I simply am.
Recently, I have also begun using glitter in combination with other materials as a medium. It is a queering of my materials, using what is found and accessible to me, Glitter yassifies anything it touches and that is exactly what I’m going for.
I am most proud of my most recent body of work, which involved a concentration of paintings and sculptures centered around Love and Spirituality and my multiracial identity. It was exhibited at the Adam D. Kamil Gallery in San Diego this past year. I learned alot from this experience, but most importantly that I am capable of achieving my dreams as an Artist. As a young artist it’s difficult to see that there is value in your work, this exhibition for me allowed me to see what my Art meant to others, that it is important, and that I shouldn’t stop creating.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
LA is known for it’s great food, there’s so many different cuisines to try. I’d recommend Gam Tu Bop in Glendale for some delicious Onigiri. The Flea Markets are also unbeatable in the city, they have the cutest things for the cheapest of prices. If you want to go for a stroll, or have a picnic when it’s sunny out, I’d recommend Echo Park Lake. There’s a beautiful fountain in the lake, lot’s of duck to feed, and paddle boats, but I wouldn’t recommend jumping in the water! LA has so many hidden gems, there’s something new around every corner, you just have to look.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
How do I shoutout everyone I love??! I’m deeply grateful for having parents who always fostered my creativity and encouraged me deepen my art practice in my free time, for having friends who found me venues to show at, or to help me set up and bought my art prints when no one else showed up. For people who showed up on opening night at a reception or who let me ramble to them about my ideas. I’m grateful for the support from my entire community and their dedication to showing up for me, it’s what keeps me going when I feel like things get hard.

Website: https://camilaknigge.wixsite.com/camilart

Instagram: cam1lart

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camila-knigge-unibe-0653b2190/

Image Credits
Profile photo by Lualicia Cazarez

All other artwork done and photographed by Camila Knigge Unibe

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.