Karen traveled through much of the United States and Canada as a young child. She often spoke of
Russell, Manitoba as being an inspiration for her later works. Karen Kilimnik studied at
Temple University, Philadelphia. Her installations reflected a young viewpoint of pop culture. An example of this work is her 1989 breakout
The Hellfire Club Episode of the Avengers, which is composed of photocopied images, clothing, drawings, and other objects that reverentially embody the glamour, risk, and mod kitsch of
the 1960s television show. The work exemplified the “scatter” style of her installations. Kilimnik's paintings, characterised by loose brushwork, bold colors and "thrift shop paint-by-numbers awkwardness", are pastiches of the
Old Masters and often incorporate portraits of celebrities. In contrast to the celebrity portraits of
Elizabeth Peyton, Kilimnik, "blends together
Conceptual and
performance art and 1980's
appropriation with the current interest in female psychology and identity." Her work is variously described as "sharp and witty...an interesting exercise in conceptual control" and as "wan and whimsical..." ==Collections==