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Kali Art

American, 1932-2019

Joan Marie Archibald was born in 1932 and raised on Long Island, New York. Wed and divorced by the age of 30, she left everything behind for California and a new life — and a new identity as "Kali."

While Kali had studied art and photography previously, no one knows exactly when and how her artistic practice and style developed. She began using an improvised darkroom in the master bath of her Palm Springs home to print 16 by 20 inch photographs. She chose her subjects carefully, which included friends, pets, acquaintances, children, her children’s friends (including a young Cindy Sherman), and surroundings. Late into the night, Kali then used dyes, screens, and organic material in the swimming pool to layer moody and psychedelic abstractions over the photographs and dried the textured prints in the desert sun.

The social and political turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s encouraged a more experimental artistic culture in the Los Angeles area. Artists began recontextualizing photographs as “objects” open to manipulation — rejecting the more straightforward and classical approach of photographers like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. Kali was a prolific pioneer of this alternative photography and her vibrant images marry a bohemian sensuality indicative of the time period and her lifestyle with a more emotional spontaneity.

In the 1970s, Kali continued her practice with the Polaroid camera. Instead of manipulating the Polaroid prints, she used multiple exposures and projections of light in camera to startling, eerie effect — particularly on a series of haunting self-portraits. Much later in her life, Kali documented her fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrials by monitoring and photographing images of flickering transmissions and unexplained streaks and blobs of light from the security cameras surrounding her property in Pacific Palisades.

Despite her prolific artistic output, Kali revealed her work to few and seems to have retreated just when she may have started to gain recognition. The only known article featuring her work was in the November 1970 edition of Camera 35 magazine and the author noted that Kali’s “Artography” (her trademarked name) was “was beyond the capabilities of mere machines. In fact, there is not a way to reproduce one of her images; as a result each of them is an original.”

In her 80s, Kali began to suffer the effects of Parkinson’s disease and memory loss. Her daughter Susan helped her move in to a nursing home and at the same time discovered the immense collection of Kali’s artwork and writing. Soon after Kali’s death in 2019, the collection was organized and archived by Susan and Kali’s former son-in-law, photographer Len Prince.

Find original Kali art on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by Staley-Wise Gallery)

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Artist: Kali
Untitled (Woman), Palm Springs, CA

Untitled (Woman), Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

“Kali” was born Joan Marie Archibald in 1932 in Long Island, New York. Her beloved stepfather encouraged Kali’s interest and education in art. Because of Kali’s faith, she was part...

Category

1970s Modern Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mary 100 Ways, Headband, Palm Springs, CA

Mary 100 Ways, Headband, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Archival Pigment Print Print size: 17x22 inches / 43x56 cm Image size: 16x20 inches / 41x51 cm Framed size: 24x30 inches / 61x76 cm Edition of 10 Estate embossment on the front and e...

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mary 100 Ways, Flower Power, Palm Springs, CA

Mary 100 Ways, Flower Power, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Archival Pigment Print Print size: 17x22 inches / 43x56 cm Image size: 16x20 inches / 41x51 cm Framed size: 23x29.75 inches / 58x76 cm Edition of 10 Estate embossment on the front an...

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Untitled (Collage #11)

KaliUntitled (Collage #11)

Price Upon Request

Untitled (Collage #11)

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Vintage polaroid collage in custom frame Image size: 13.25x16.25 inches / 34x41 cm Print size: 13.25x16.25 inches / 34x41 cm Frame size: 20.5x...

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Large Glowing Ship, Pacific Palisades, CA

Large Glowing Ship, Pacific Palisades, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on a separate label of authenticity

Category

Early 2000s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Sphere and Friends, Pacific Palisades, CA

Sphere and Friends, Pacific Palisades, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on a separate label of authenticity

Category

Early 2000s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

"WOWs", UFO Notebook, August 2

"WOWs", UFO Notebook, August 2

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on a separate label of authenticity

Category

Early 2000s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ectoplasm Ghost, Pacific Palisades, CA

Ectoplasm Ghost, Pacific Palisades, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on a separate label of authenticity

Category

Early 2000s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

UFO Morphing, UFO Notebook, January 30

UFO Morphing, UFO Notebook, January 30

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on a separate label of authenticity

Category

Early 2000s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Morphing UFO, April 27

Morphing UFO, April 27

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on a separate label of authenticity

Category

Early 2000s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Angel Flying, UFO Notebook, January 27

Angel Flying, UFO Notebook, January 27

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on a separate label of authenticity

Category

Early 2000s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kali Being Taken, Pacific Palisades, CA

Kali Being Taken, Pacific Palisades, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on a separate label of authenticity

Category

Early 2000s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kathy in Tower 2

KaliKathy in Tower 2, 1968

Price Upon Request

Kathy in Tower 2

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Maine Lighthouse Composite, Maine

Maine Lighthouse Composite, Maine

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

L.A. Highway, CA

KaliL.A. Highway, CA, 1966

Price Upon Request

L.A. Highway, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Maine Lighthouse with Butterflies, Maine

Maine Lighthouse with Butterflies, Maine

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mary and Josh America, Indio, CA

Mary and Josh America, Indio, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Susan with Lace, Palm Springs, CA

Susan with Lace, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kali Cat Abstract, Palm Springs, CA

Kali Cat Abstract, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Male Surfers, Carmel, CA

Male Surfers, Carmel, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

T.L.S. Seagull, Carmel, CA

T.L.S. Seagull, Carmel, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Young Boy, Palm Springs, CA

Young Boy, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Debbie with Kitty, Palm Springs, CA

Debbie with Kitty, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Devendork Park Hippie Model, Carmel, CA

Devendork Park Hippie Model, Carmel, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bottles, Palm Springs, CA

Bottles, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Untitled (Collage 9), Palm Springs, CA

Untitled (Collage 9), Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Blue Cypress, Carmel, CA

Blue Cypress, Carmel, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Untitled (Collage 8), Palm Springs, CA

Untitled (Collage 8), Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Su One Eye, Palm Springs, CA

Su One Eye, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Tahoe Blue, Palm Springs, CA

Tahoe Blue, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate Stamped

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Rose, Palm Springs, CA

Rose, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Polaroid

Half Face 3, Palm Springs, CA

Half Face 3, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Fabric Mary, Palm Springs, CA

Fabric Mary, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Half Face 1, Palm Springs, CA

Half Face 1, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Karl and Flowers, CA

Karl and Flowers, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Polaroid

Blue Face and Leaves, CA

Blue Face and Leaves, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Polaroid

Silhouette, CA

KaliSilhouette, CA, 1972

Price Upon Request

Silhouette, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Polaroid

Textured Mary, Palm Springs, CA

Textured Mary, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Polaroid

Split Cindy, Palm Springs, CA

Split Cindy, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossed

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Silhouette Orange, CA

Silhouette Orange, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Polaroid

Pscadelic Mary, 100 Ways, Palm Springs, CA

Pscadelic Mary, 100 Ways, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Polaroid

Mixed Group XVlll, Palm Springs, CA

Mixed Group XVlll, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1970s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Woven Su, Palm Springs, CA

Woven Su, Palm Springs, CA

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Nepenth Cat

KaliNepenth Cat, 1969

Price Upon Request

Nepenth Cat

By Kali

Located in New York, NY

Estate embossment on the front and estate stamped on the reverse

Category

1960s Kali Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Kali art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Kali art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, red, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Kali in archival pigment print, pigment print, polaroid and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Kali art, so small editions measuring 4 inches across are available. Kali art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,800 and tops out at $1,800, while the average work can sell for $1,800.