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Kristofer M. Neely (born November 21, 1978) is an American Creative writing and Visual arts in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. Neely currently serves as Professor of Art and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at Spartanburg Methodist College.George, Dustin. "Kris Neely's guardian pieces were born from a simple favor for his mother". Spartanburg Magazine on GoUpstate.com. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
Neely is known for his work titled "Guardian Angels,"Kimzey, Kim. "Local artist Kristofer Neely inspired by journey to cross". GoUpstate.com. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2012. which was painted on pieces of wood that he had found. "Member Spotlight: Kris Neely" . Spartanburg Downtown Association. Retrieved 21 July 2012. He has painted more than 10,000 guardians.
Neely is also the owner and creative director of Wet Paint Syndrome Studio "Success Initiative: Kris Neely" . Wofford College. Retrieved 20 July 2012. which opened in September 2009.Brown, Dudley. "East side art gallery opens to bring artists, art buyers together". GoUpstate.com. 4 November 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
Neely earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Interdisciplinary Art from Goddard College in 2009.
In 2008, sensing that the Guardians had become knickknacks, Neely stopped selling them for six months, giving them away instead. He sometimes hid them in various locations in the city of Spartanburg for people to find. Neely started selling the Guardians again in. 2009, Criticized that he was creating too many Guardians and selling them too cheaply, Neely responded, "I think any artist would be honored to have a work that can connect with people so powerfully."
“When I’m working on a Guardian, I try to think to myself about what this could mean to the person who receives it,” Neely said. “When I catch myself in a moment of slipping out of that kind of awareness, I’ll just stop. The numbers (of angels he makes) aren’t important; it’s that I focus on the one.”
Neely is the owner and creative director of the Wet Paint Syndrome Studio.
In 2014, Neely held an exhibit at the Martha Cloud Chapman Gallery in the Campus Life Building at Wofford College. The exhibit, called, "Iconic," featured Pop icon as well as famous figures along with photographs of every people who are unnamed. Images are recreated—fractured, torn, presented in a unique and sometimes interactive style.Lawrence, Addie. "Neely's art exhibit 'Iconic' on display at Wofford" . GoUpstate.com. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
As of 2017, Neely is at Spartanburg Methodist College teaching art.
In his studio, he experiments with new media and finds objects to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional art.Neely, Kris. "Artist's Statement". Wet Paint Syndrome. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
In 2008, Neely presented his work in the Guild Gallery at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg. "Artist's Guild of Spartanburg Features Works by Young Artists". Carolina Arts. March 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2012.Knight, Beverly. "Brothers Open Exhibit at Chapman". Chapman Cultural Center: News and Press Releases, Herald Journal. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012. He also exhibited a series of works at Emory University in March 2011 titled "Into Your Hands: Post Modern Meditations on the Stations of the Cross." "Series of works by Wofford artist to be featured at Oxford College in Georgia" . Newsroom, Wofford College. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2012. "Works by SC artist on display". Emory University, Oxford College. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2012. His oversize photographs of a Spartanburg water tower are on permanent display at the Spartanburg County Administration Building. In June 2006, he was invited to hang a two-month solo exhibition of paintings and photographs in the Martha Cloud Chapman Gallery at Wofford College. The exhibition was then moved for two months to the Spartanburg High School Gallery.
Neely's work is represented in both local and regional galleries, and he has completed commissioned work for the Campus Safety Office (2006), Carlisle Residence Hall (2006), and the Success Initiative Center (2005) at Wofford College. In March 2008, Neely's poetry was featured in the anthology, Still Home, edited by Rachel Harkai. "Still Home" . Hub City Press. Retrieved 16 July 2012. Neely was named the 2005 Unsung Hero by Piedmont Care at the 2005 South Carolina HIV/STD Conference held in Greenville, South Carolina. "Kris Neely Named 2005 Unsung Hero". Piedmont Care. 26 October 2005. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
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