Rykelle’s works of art is a representation of the knowledge she has attained of her Southwestern & Southeastern heritage, which she combines in each piece that she creates. She started her art career learning under her father (Renowned Native Painter/Printmaker Randy Kemp) as a printmaker from the age of 12. She now works out of her home studio where she produces her one of a kind mono-silk screen prints, mix-medium artworks and Jewelry.
Rykelle started her own business: ‘Ahlazua-Indigenous Woman Made’ in 2018, which focuses on affordable Jewelry collections, Accessories & Graphic Design. Ahlazua is her traditional Euchee name given to her by her late Grandmother Josephine, also her business’ namesake. It felt important and powerful to incorporate her Euchee name within her Business, because it honors Matrilineal Inheritance: knowledge & Name.
Kemp found her creative passion for jewelry making and design 7 years ago. After taking a basic class at a local arts school in phoenix, she worked tirelessly at cultivating and growing her own techniques in silversmithing. She has created a unique style that incorporates her tribal heritage. She works with Natural Materials that she has found in her Tribes while studying and researching traditional methods and Materials. From the South East she incorporates Shells, Pearls, and shell carving/cutting & applies that to Techniques and Materials from her Diné Tribe in the South West such as Tufa Casting, Turquoise and Sweat Soldering. With her Goal to combine and use as many Traditional Techniques and Materials from all her tribes, she has developed a distinct Design Style. This unique style has garnered a following of collectors for her one of a kind pieces with-in recent years.
Her works have been featured in publications such as: The Huffington Posts: “23 Indigenous Fashion Brands: Clothing, Jewelry & Accessories”, The Native American Art Magazine and other publications across the country. She has also been featured in art markets such as: Santa Fe Indian Art Market (NM), Smithsonian-NMAI (NYC), Autry Museum of the South West (CA), Heard Museum (AZ), Eiteljorg Museum (IN), etc. Stockists include: Denver Art Museum (CO), Eiteljorg Museum (IN), First Americans Museum (OK), etc.
