Jimi Kabela (’21, BFA)

This interview is with Jimi Kabela, a graduate of the department of Art and Art History at UTA.

About:
I was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1990. In pursuit of enhanced educational opportunities, my family (including 11 siblings) relocated to the United States in 2000. I earned his BFA from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2021, and an MA from Pratt Institute in 2023.

My artistic journey has been profoundly influenced by my global voyages, traversing various corers of the world. Having explored every continent except Antarctica and Australia, I draw inspiration from these diverse cultural experiences. My creative focus encompasses a keen interest in typography, language, and the power of communication.

My work has been shown in Rockport, Texas; Arlington, Texas; and Dallas, Texas; Aspen, Colorado; as well as in New York, NY.

What year did you graduate from UTA and what is your degree in?
I think I enrolled at UTA in 2010 as a business major. A semester away from graduating I decided to make the switch to fine arts with a minor in visual communication. A brief, I wasn't sure the artistic path can I graduated in the class of 2021 with a bachelor of fine arts and minor in visual communication.

Tell us about yourself.
It never occurred to me that I would be an artist. That path began a few years later, while I was studying at Tarrant County College. I was simply completing basic courses, but one day, I found myself in a hallway, watching professor Christopher Blay installing work for a student exhibition. I remember silently critiquing a painting that didn't look quite complete to me. The professor overheard and, intrigued by my thoughts, asked if I painted. I hadn't touched a brush at that point, but he suggested I try a painting class. Fortunately, I was able to enroll in Professor James Goebel's introductory painting course, and it was in his classroom that I started to learn the fundamentals: mixing colors, shading, capturing still life, and all the basics. But more than that, I found a sense of freedom. In Professor Goebel's class, I wasn't restricted to assignments; I could explore any subject that spoke to me. I experimented with landscapes, animals, objects, and people. My paintings weren't masterpieces—most of them were far from it—but I was discovering something transformative about the act of painting itself.

At that time, I was pursuing a business degree, balancing a job, and running a small computer store. Art was just an elective, something I enjoyed, and I enrolled in Professor Goebel's classes as often as I could because they filled me with a sense of joy I couldn't find elsewhere. After Tarrant County College, I went on to study business at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), convinced that this practical route would offer security and a stable career. Yet, even with that logical decision, I felt hollow.

As an elective, I decided to take a figurative painting class with Professor Sedrick Huckaby. His work in portraiture profoundly impacted me; the way he layered thick, textured impasto to create skin that looked almost touchable made his figures feel alive. Sedrick's portraits seemed to contain a depth and presence beyond just the image itself —they carried a sense of humanity that resonated on a personal level. Observing him paint, I began to understand that being an artist could be a serious, meaningful career, a pursuit that connected deeply with people. That realization planted a new idea in me, and it was then that I took a leap of faith, leaving my business studies just a semester before graduating to switch into the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BA) program with a minor in visual communication.

The BFA program introduced me to an inspiring lineup of professors whose passion for their craft went far beyond the classroom. They invested in us, pushing us to explore our capabilities and express our unique voices. One mentor in particular, Professor Matt Clark, became another essential guide for me on this journey. As an accomplished artist himself, Matt shared not only his skill but his belief in our potential, which made a lasting impact on me. Towards the end of my time at UTA, I was on the verge of taking the conventional route, applying for jobs and preparing for a secure career path. But Matt encouraged me to stay open, to believe in my journey as an artist, and to apply to the best graduate programs out there.

I remember sitting with him in his Dallas studio as we compiled a list of the top art schools in the country. Together, we discussed the opportunities each program could offer, and he motivated me to aim high. Among the schools I applied to was Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, which ultimately became the next chapter in my journey. I'm also deeply grateful to Professors Yana Payusova, Carlos DonJuan, Mary Vaccaro, Ben Terry, Gregory Scott Cook, Kara Rybicki, Jessica Rose, Spencer Evans, Halle Turner, and Tore Terrasi. I may have missed a few names, but UTA is home to a remarkable community that enriched my practice and gave me the foundation to grow and graduate.

Any special memories about being a student at UTA?
There are no tacos like the Taqueria Taxco on S Cooper St, and the boba tea spot across the street in the shopping center; I can't think of the name-mmm. And the Asel art supply store that has since closed down, I used to get free oil tubes that were damaged and other supplies there.

Why did you choose your major or field of study?
I was good at a number of things, but painting chose me. To be an artist, especially a painter in today's world, requires a bit of audacity. With the rapid advance of technology -Al, for instance, revolutionizing creativity in so many ways-artists today face challenges similar to those in the past, like the invention of the camera, computer, or digital editing tools. Being an artist feels like constantly standing on the edge of what's possible, and that sense of exploration keeps me driven. I'm always curious about what's next on the canvas.

What can graduating Liberal Arts students do to make themselves more marketable?
Trying to make yourself marketable can feel like a constant chase, but I believe everyone is marketable in their own way. There's a wonderful saying: "A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It simply blooms. "This has been a mantra for my creative practice. Over time, I've come to realize that it's about making the work first- the best work you can, whatever that means for you personally.

For instance, while I was studying at UTA, I never thought about exhibiting my work or entering competitions. I was simply in the painting studio, making art that excited my spirit. A classmate, Cheyla, told me about the Rising Eyes of Texas competition at the Rockport Center for the Arts. We entered together. When the results came in, we were both selected to exhibit. From there, doors began to open.

To my fellow graduating liberal arts students, my advice is this: focus on being yourself.
Authenticity is the greatest form of originality, and that uniqueness is what makes you truly marketable.

If you are a College of Liberal Arts alum, please let us know by emailing liberalarts@uta.edu.