Kalli Bednarz is an Indianapolis-based artist working in painting and installation. Her research-driven practice uses archaeology as a lens to explore the human experience through curiosity, archival study, and collaboration with archaeologists and preservation professionals. Working with graphite and water-based pigments, she creates layered surfaces where luminous, animated figures emerge as archaeologists, students, and researchers engaged in acts of searching, study, and care. Her work has been installed in public spaces, including the Indianapolis International Airport. She received a BFA in Visual Arts and Animation from Ball State University. Her next solo exhibition will open in September 2026 at the Cultural Arts Gallery at Indiana University Indianapolis.