Paula Kempe

Paula, a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, has honed her skills in various media through trial and error. Currently, she works in the art studio at Tulsa’s Center for Individuals with Physically Challenges. Living with an anoxic brain injury, Paula uses her art as a powerful means of expression and exploration, channeling her unique experiences into compelling visual narratives. Creating art serves as a source of peace and clarity for her, allowing her to reconnect with herself and the world around her.

Paula’s art often explores themes of societal struggles, nature, and the unspoken issues that permeate our modern world. At times, she also creates instinctively, fulfilling her need to bring ideas into the physical realm without overthinking their meaning. A recurring motif in her work is the human brain, which she depicts in various forms to spark conversations about neurodiversity and personal resilience.

A native Tulsan, Paula’s worked as a technical drafter before her physical challenges.  Through her art, she hopes to continue shedding light on the often-overlooked struggles that people face.

Paula’s work has been exhibited at various venues, including the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, Living Arts of Tulsa’s 2016 Seeking Shelter, the former Ahha’s 5x5, and Tulsa Community College’s Please Touch the Art.