Made with vintage silk ties and leather belts, paracord, black zip ties & ribbon, LED strip lights, mesh on recycled commercial fishing net and gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart
The Great Resignation… Close Up
The Power of the Outsider: Building Your Own Alternative
In a world often governed by norms and conventions, the outsider holds a unique position—a position of strength. Freed from the constraints of mainstream thinking, the outsider is empowered to craft their own narrative, forge their own path, and envision alternative realities.
Being an outsider isn’t about exclusion; it’s about liberation. It’s about embracing difference and finding strength in individuality. By constantly challenging the status quo, the outsider becomes a catalyst for change, offering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
In this space of creative autonomy, the outsider cultivates a rich tapestry of ideas, birthing new paradigms and reshaping the landscape of possibility. So, embrace your outsider status, and revel in the power of building your own alternative. After all, it’s often on the fringes where true transformation takes root.
The Great Resignation Emotional Baggage Cart
While navigating the ups and downs of a soul-draining job and struggling to connect with my Gen Z staff, I found solace and inspiration in the transformational journey of my partner, McCarty. While I remained tethered to the confines of corporate life, McCarty was embracing a newfound freedom in the sun-kissed shores of St. Croix USVI. Abandoning the trappings of Wall Street and Savile Row suits, he embraced a simpler existence, trading in his tailored attire for the comfort of cargo shorts.
In a gesture of generosity, McCarty gifted me his cherished collection of vintage silk ties, an offering that became the raw material for this emotional baggage cart. These ties, once symbols of corporate conformity, now serve as the building blocks for a visual testament to liberation and self-discovery.
“The Great Resignation” stands as a tribute to all those who have dared to prioritize their own well-being over the toxic demands of their work environments. It is a celebration of courage, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of authenticity. Each element, from the vintage silk ties to the repurposed leather belts I tooled as a teen, speaks to the transformative power of letting go and embracing new beginnings.
Utilizing a diverse array of materials, including paracord, zip ties, ribbon, LED strip lights, and commercial fishing net, I sought to encapsulate the complexity of the emotional baggage carried by individuals on their journey to liberation. The juxtaposition of the opulent silk ties with the utilitarian elements serves as a visual metaphor for the intersection of personal growth and societal expectations.
The recovered shopping cart substrate, adorned with a layer of gold spray paint, serves as a poignant symbol of the consumerist culture that often fuels the relentless pursuit of professional success at the expense of personal fulfillment. By repurposing this symbol of capitalism, I aim to challenge conventional notions of value and redefine the meaning of prosperity in terms of inner fulfillment rather than material wealth.
Ultimately, “The Great Resignation Emotional Baggage Cart” is more than just an art installation—it is a call to action. It invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship with work, success, and self-worth, and to consider the possibility of forging a path guided by authenticity and self-love. It is my hope that this piece will serve as a beacon of inspiration for all those who dare to dream of a life lived on their own terms.
Vintage silk ties and leather belts, paracord, black zip ties & ribbon, LED strip lights, mesh on recycled commercial fishing net and gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart
Inspired by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman” is a powerful ode to self-assurance and female empowerment. In the poem, Angelou celebrates her own unique beauty and presence, rejecting conventional standards of attractiveness. Instead of conforming to society’s expectations, she revels in her own essence and exudes confidence in her identity as a woman. Through her words, Angelou encourages other women to embrace their own uniqueness and recognize their inherent worth, regardless of external judgments or pressures.
Uncontained: Reimagining Basketry Opens Sun. May 19
Please join me for the Opening Reception of Uncontained: Reimagining Basketry on Sunday May 19th at the Hunderdon Art Museum in Clinton NJ. There are scheduled artists talks, a block party on the terrace and I will be driving up from residency at Touchstone just to attend.
Come see me and The Great Resignation Emotional Baggage Cart at the opening
Uncontained: Reimagining Basketry
Opening Reception: May 19th, 2:00-4:00pm
Exhibition Dates: May 19, 2024 – September 2, 2024
Location: Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center St, Clinton, NJ
I’ve Got An Afro, Of Course…
I feel seen.
Inspired by Jeffery Gibson
Jeffrey Gibson’s work is undeniably inspiring! His fusion of traditional Native American materials and techniques with non traditional substrates like punching bags creates a vibrant and thought-provoking visual language. As I delve into my own artistic practice, I’m drawn to Gibson’s bold use of color, pattern, and texture, as well as his exploration of identity and cultural heritage. His ability to blend diverse materials into cohesive and evocative artworks encourages me to push the boundaries of my own creativity and explore new ways of expressing my ideas.
Last Chance to Bid on Amref’s ArtBall Auction
Amref’s ArtBall contemporary African, Pan-African, and Black online auction closes tomorrow, May 6th, 2024, at 12 pm EST.
You can access the auction link now at Sothebys.com/artball.
It’s your last chance to bid on all the fantastic works included in the show, including Golden Serenity Tresses.
Liquid Ice: A Ode to a Storm
As the gray storm clouds rolled across the sea towards the shore, the air grew thick with anticipation. The waves, once calm and rhythmic, now transformed into restless giants, whipped into a frenzy by the impending tempest. Liquid ice, carried within the heart of the storm, seemed to chill the very atmosphere.
The wind, a herald of the approaching deluge, howled through the air, tousling the sea’s surface and creating a chaotic dance of spray. Seabirds scattered, seeking refuge from the turbulence, their usual graceful flight replaced by a hurried scramble for safety.
On the horizon, the merging of sea and sky became blurred, as if nature itself couldn’t contain the brewing forces. The distant rumble of thunder underscored the power of the approaching storm, a prelude to the symphony of rain and wind that would soon envelop the coast.
As the first raindrops fell, each liquid bead carried the essence of the storm, leaving a shimmering trail on the surface of the sea. The world seemed to hold its breath, poised between the calm before, and the tumultuous after, as the gray storm clouds continued their relentless march towards the awaiting shore.
Liquid Ice with Kate-Ferri Projects at 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Liquid Ice was the first work I completed after relocating to St. Croix last Fall. Begun in May 2023 and completed by September of the same year, this piece embodies the dynamic energy of the island and the tumultuous beauty of its environment.
Crafted from a unique blend of materials, including recovered marine tow line, delicate cowrie shells, macrame cord, acrylic yarns, and shimmering metallic rayon fabric, Liquid Ice is a multi-dimensional exploration of texture and form. These elements are meticulously knotted, crocheted, wrapped, and draped upon three-ply cotton rope, employing techniques that blend textile traditions with innovative recycling and reimagining.
Central to Liquid Ice’s narrative is the symbolism of loc-ed hair cascading like waves in the wind during a storm—a poignant reflection of the resilience and adaptability inherent in both nature and human experience. Liquid Ice invites viewers to contemplate the interplay between beauty and adversity, strength and vulnerability.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Dates: May 2-5
Gallery: KATES-FERRI PROJECTS, Booth #7, KATES-FERRI PROJECTS presents MATERIALISTIC, a three-person presentation of artworks from Turiya Magadlela, Samuel Nnorom and Theda Sandiford at 1-54NY Contemporary African Art Fair, Booth #7, 601 West 26th Street, NY, 10001 on view Thursday, May 2 until Saturday, May 5, 2024.
Location: 601 W. 26th St. NYC, Kates-Ferri Projects Booth #7
and on Artsy.
