PORTLAND, Ore. — KHEM has had a less conventional entrance into the Portland art scene, coming to the city in 2022 with no home or car — but a determined attitude.
After couch surfing and living on the streets throughout the pandemic, KHEM decided to move to Portland. Born in Sweden, he told us he's been painting and creating colorful murals his entire life.
"I landed in Portland with the intention of finding an artist residency," KHEM said. "I wanted to create a space to live and work. Now, it feels like I am doing that."
Shortly after arriving in the Rose City, he discovered "Gather Make Shelter," an organization that helps artists without housing.
"I actually painted a mural inside the shelter first," he said.
One painting and mural at a time, KHEM was able to gain a sense of stability. KHEM was even commissioned for murals by businesses across the city, such as the bakery, Gluten Free Gem on Northeast Broadway and 2nd Avenue.
"And then, I used that money to buy clothes, buy food, and use it as a portfolio, examples to be able to take around and basically walked all of the quadrants of Portland to find business," he said.
KHEM hopes people can let go of the heavy stigma homelessness carries: "There are a lot of different ways in. It's not just drug addiction; it's not just mental wellness — there's people out there on the street that just missed their mortgage and their families couldn't take them in; there are a lot of LGBTQ members out there that have been pushed out by their families that are really talented people, artists."
Khem said realizing everything is temporary has kept him focused.
He is still facing financial troubles despite securing his apartment that doubles as a studio, and if anyone would like to support KHEM's artwork or have a mural commissioned, he can be found on Instagram @khemmadeit.