This artist's creations are more than sculptures; they are compelling narratives woven with steel beads, inviting us to explore profound connections. 

As Artwork Archive's Featured Artist Beth Kamhi draws on her background in textile, fashion, and interior design, her creative installations and artwork balance physical weight, playfulness, and elegance. 

Her signature use of steel ball chain beads reflects both industrial sophistication and ornamental fluidity, weaving an illusion reminiscent of silk threads. Kamhi's philosophy is to embrace intuition and problem-solving throughout her making process, creating a stream of consciousness that guides her hands to attend to the tiniest, most intricate details. 

For her, the steel ball chain beads symbolize not just industrial elegance, but also the connected yet independent nature of life itself—static yet kinetic, reflecting her unique perspective. 

Through her work, Beth Kamhi invites viewers into a unique experience at the crossroads of art, fashion, interior design, and textiles. 

Artwork Archive had the chance to chat with Beth Kamhi about her creative process, how her unique background impacts her work, and how Artwork Archive makes her art career more manageable! 

You can see more of her work on Discovery and learn more about her art practice below.

Beth Kamhi, Rings 1, 48 x 22 x 5 in

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Do you have a favorite or most satisfying part of your process?   

The process from beginning to end is very important to my practice.

Problem-solving is a large part: how things hang, the weight, the balance, the emotion—it’s all part of the challenge. 

Then, watching a crated piece leave my studio is very satisfying!  

 

How does your background in textile, fashion, and interior design inform your current practice? 

I remember the first time I created a sculpture using packing peanuts and glue in my father's office when I was around 10 years old; It seemed magical to me. 

I was off on a nonstop path of creation, starting with bleached and hand-painted jeans, venturing into macrame, and then to custom clothing. This path landed me at FIDM in California. In the mid-80s, I was busy creating interiors, drawing upon my expertise in textiles, pattern making, and sewing.  

I designed and crafted thousands of draperies, expanded to include faux finishes and custom furniture, and eventually evolved into providing full-service interior design until 2008. I still work with a few favorite clients and family but am no longer taking on new clients. 

I have always kept my art practice moving forward over the years, maintaining the same art studio in the Cornelia Arts Building on Chicago’s north side for nearly 20 years!

Around 18 years ago, I used the industrial ball chain material in a design project and fell in love with the sinuous material.

Ball chain, with its textile-like feel and beautiful draping, became my material of choice. You can easily spot references to my draped window treatments in some pieces or appreciate the textile quality in others. There's even a nod to my history in macramé! Some pieces also reflect my design sensibility, emphasizing structure and balance. All in all, my artwork is an interesting combination of fashion, design, and art.

 

Beth Kamhi, Roots, 80 x 25 x 6 in

 

How has "breaking the dimensional, intellectual, and material boundaries of the industrial ball chain contributed to the evolution of your art practice? What have been the challenges? 

I've worked with this material for years and still have not exhausted its capabilities.

Sometimes, a photo of something might trigger a "what if” moment, and I follow that path to see where it leads—and that leads to another direction, creating a continuum from each piece to the next series.

I must say that as my work has grown larger, it has become heavier to manage! One recent commission weighed over 270 lbs!  Once it was completed in my studio, moving and installing it was a challenge. For the US Embassy in Guadalajara, Mexico, I completed a 16’ L x 10” W x 10” H piece made of aluminum—so that weight problem was solved. 

 

What impact do you hope your work will have on those who view it?

I always long for someone to run their fingers through the strands! Years ago, while participating in a lot of art fairs, I was always delighted when a passerby from across the way made eye contact with my work and walked over with their hands stretched out, ready to touch the pieces.

When I said it was perfectly fine to touch, we were both satisfied.

 

Beth Kamhi, Swag 3 Commissioned installation for a Chicago Residence by PROjECT INTERIORS, 14 x 40 x 8 in

What does success as an artist mean to you?   

My main market niche includes corporate, hospitality, and high-end residential projects.

For me, success means having a committed group of art consultants and interior designers who appreciate and promote my work for their projects.

I do feel that earning a living as an artist means success for me; there is no glamour in being a starving artist.   

 

 

What are you currently working on?

Currently, I'm in the final stages of launching my wallpaper and fabric collection based on my artwork, and super excited to share this in early 2024!   

It’s the perfect balance of all the worlds I've lived in—textile, art, and interiors!

Beth Kamhi pictured in front of her upcoming Wallpaper and Fabric Collection. Photo courtesy of the artist

 

How do you use Artwork Archive on a daily basis?  

I have been an Artwork Archive user since it first started in 2010. 

I had such a hard time formatting Excel sheets on my computer, that I thought it was a brilliant concept—and still do!

I love the platform! I use the Private Rooms for all my clients and they love them. I utilize all the features like Contacts, Invoicing, and Reports. Additionally, I always send a Certificate of Authenticity packed with each piece. Artwork Archive lets me keep all my contacts and applications in one place.

I access my account from my phone all the time. When I get an email from an art consultant or interior designer, I can send a Tear Sheet within two minutes and they LOVE the customer service I can give them.  

Artwork Archive also does such a great job of regularly adding new customer experience updates!

 

What advice would you give an artist who’s just starting out in their professional career? 

Stay true to your voice and view every day as a new day to create.

Always document your work on Artwork Archive. This is your business, so capture all your emails and contacts too.

And remember, it’s not shameful to earn a living from your art. Think of it as a badge of honor; someone appreciates and respects your talent and time enough to purchase your work.

Beth Kamhi, Loop, 52 x 38 x 12 in

 

Beth Kamhi uses Artwork Archive to keep track of her contacts, invoices, and reports, showcase her work to clients, and more.

You can make an online portfolio, catalog your artwork, and generate reports like inventory reports, tear sheets, and invoices in seconds with Artwork Archive. Take a look at Artwork Archive's free trial and start growing your art business.