Theda Sandiford is a highly regarded artist known for her unique approach to fiber and installation art. Drawing inspiration from the profound impact of racial trauma, she skillfully combines various fibers and found materials using techniques such as weaving, coiling, knotting, and jewelry-making. The materials she meticulously gathers, along with contributions from the community, serve as a representation of collective memory, forming what she terms “social fabric.” This fusion of contemporary issues with personal narratives results in a vibrant tapestry of interconnected stories.
Central to Theda’s artistic process is community art-making. She orchestrates diverse experiences that unite people through sound and artistry, providing a platform to explore themes such as equity, inclusion, sustainability, and personal well-being.
Theda’s artistic footprint extends globally. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Guggenheim and Pittsburgh Children’s Museum. She has showcased in prestigious venues such as World of Threads, Expo Chicago, Untitled Art Fair, SPRING/BREAK ART SHOW, Governor’s Island NYC, New Jersey Arts Annual, and the American Contemporary Craft: National Juried Exhibition. Her work has received acclaim in Excellence in Fibers VI and Fiber VIII from Fiber Art Now, earning her the 2020 Jersey City Arts Visual Artist Award, the 2021 Fellowship in Craft from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the 2022 Jersey City Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship. She has been named a Fellow for the 2023-24 National of Leaders of Color Fellowship program.