After The Dance
Theda Sandiford
22x12x5”
Wire, beaded bib, chenille, ribbon, acrylic yarns, metallic rayon fabric, metallic yarn knotted and wrapped on three ply cotton rope.
2024
After The Dance is a vibrant homage to the spirit of Caribbean carnival festivities—a celebration of the transformative power of joy. This piece, crafted from wire, a beaded bib, chenille, ribbon, acrylic yarns, metallic rayon fabric, metallic yarn, and three-ply cotton rope, captures the kaleidoscope of color and movement that defines carnival.
The textures and materials intertwine to evoke the exuberance of masquerade costumes, the rhythm of soca and calypso, and the shimmer of sequins catching the sun.
Through this work, I reflect on the ephemeral yet profound nature of carnival. The piece is a snapshot of the moments “after the dance,” when the streets grow quieter but the energy of celebration lingers, echoing in our bodies and spirits.
After The Dance invites the viewer to celebrate the beauty of transformation, community, and the enduring cultural legacies carried forward through carnival—a vivid reminder that even in the aftermath, the spirit of the dance lives on.
