
About Karriena
Karriena Daryanani is an abstract and mixed-media artist who uses texture and color to create striking and bold pieces of work. Based in California, she began painting professionally in 2018. While she has always been a creator, Karriena originally studied fashion at Parsons School of Design and spent time in both the fashion and jewelry industries before fully dedicating herself to painting.
Artist Statement and Vision
Bold, striking colour palettes combined with layers of various textures draw from my daily life to create emotive pieces that invite the viewer to reflect on moments in their own lives. I am interested in bringing attention to the small details we often overlook.
What inspires me to create is the beauty we miss in the ordinary moments of daily life—moments that hold deep meaning and connection. These often go unnoticed because of the fast-paced nature of our lives. Personally, I create to slow down time, reflect on my thoughts and experiences, and really tune into the emotions and details of everyday life.
I work with acrylic paint on canvas, using bold colour palettes and a variety of textures like pumice, molding paste, crackle paste, and often finishing with metallic foiling. My colour palettes are intended to invite viewers into the piece, using contrasting tones to highlight certain areas and layering texture to create depth—encouraging viewers to unravel the painting as they delve deeper into their own thoughts and emotions.
I approach each piece in layers, allowing them to dry between applications of colour and texture. This process creates variation within the same colour family and adds complexity to the final piece, allowing the viewer to peel back the layers—both of the painting and, metaphorically, within their own lives.
I am fascinated by the meaning of existence and what life means to us. My work explores themes of identity, human connection, and finding meaning through the small, fleeting moments and daily actions that often pass unnoticed.
Through reflecting on my own experiences, I use my art practice to better understand the world around me. It helps me live more consciously and connect more deeply with everyday life. In a world that moves so quickly, I believe it’s important to find things that slow us down—allowing space for reflection and meaning.
Whether exhibited individually or as part of a collection, I aim for my work to spark reflection—encouraging viewers to slow down and engage not only with the surface of the painting, but also with the layered emotions and stories beneath.
My audience includes collectors, curators, and art lovers who are drawn to abstract expression, rich texture, and emotional depth. But more broadly, I create for anyone seeking moments of stillness and contemplation in a fast-paced world. My goal is to provide that pause—an invitation to reconnect with the subtleties of life through art.
About
Education
BFA in Fashion Design (2009-2013), Parsons School of Design
PGCE (Teaching Certificate) (2018-2019), University of Sunderland
MA in Educational Technology (2021-2022) University of San Francisco
Bio and CV
B. 1991 | Grew up in Hong Kong
2018 | Began painting
2019| First Solo Exhibition in Hong Kong
2021| Moved to San Francisco and restarted my career as a full time artist
2021 | The Other Art Fair LA
2022 | Solo Art Show
2022 | Group Exhibition at The Brannan
2023 | Superfine Art Fair SF (March)
2023 | Superfine Art Fair SF (November)
2024 |San Francisco Art Fair (April) with Alessandro Berni Gallery
2025 | Superfine Art Fair (March)
2025 |San Francisco Art Fair (April) with Alessandro Berni Gallery
Press + Podcast
2023 | The Art Coaching Club Podcast