Ive been asked if the pandemic has affected me several times over the past year and a half…
The pandemic has forced me to rethink my social practice; how I create my work and source my materials are now done with social distancing in mind. Art supply swap meet ups became Glad bag recycled goodie drop offs with the doorman. In person work shops replaced by Zoom studio visits.
The pandemic alone time has given me space to be present to old emotional baggage and say good bye to many lingering conversations that have been inhabiting my head. Creating space for new and old ideas to co-mingle and inspire
This summer, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) presents Theda Sandiford: Hidden in Plain Sight, a dynamic presentation confronting the psychological and emotional impact of racial gaslighting in daily life.
On view now through August 23 in Nolan Park Building 7A, Governor’s Island, NYC.
More programming to come. Watch this space for dates and details
Bottle caps, neon yellow 550 paracord, 200′ neon yellow camo 850 paracord, hollow braided polyurethane rope, solar LED rope lights, recycled Fresh Direct bag and commercial fishing net, zip ties, gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart. Photo by April Tracey
Public Art Installation On View: May 2021 – May 2022
On Location: Summit Village Green, 356 Broad Street Summit, NJ
Three Emotional Baggage Carts are on display for the next year. I want to draw people in and spark their curiosity. Not only to discover what materials are used to create these sculptures, but to look within and recognize the emotional baggage they are carrying. Each cart is affixed with a solar panel. When the sun sets, the carts light up and take on a new meaning and form, glowing from within.
Hiding In Plain Sight
Solo Exhibit on View: June 10–August 23, 2021
On Location: The Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Arts (MoCADA)/ Nolan Park House 7A, Governors Island, NYC
Visit MoCADA’s Virtual Gallery here.
A dynamic presentation made up of a virtual exhibition and public art installation on Governors Island, Hidden in Plain Sight confronts the psychological impact of racial gaslighting as revealed in her everyday interactions.
The Social Fabric: Black Artistry in Fiber Arts, An Exhibition in Homage to Viki Craig
Exhibit On View: June 4, 2021 – October 24, 2021
On Location: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ
Curated by Gwendolyn Barrington Jackson, Nette Forné Thomas, Onnie Strother, and Wannetta Phillips (Art in the Atrium, Inc.), with Ronald T. Labaco (Morris Museum).
Featuring 50 works by over 27 artists, including Aminah Robinson, Beverly McCutcheon, Bisa Washington, Carole Robinson, Clara Nartey, Denise Toney, Ellaree Pray, Faith Ringgold, Gladys Barker Grauer, Glendora Simonson, Janet O. Green, Jeanine Bowen, Katie Commodore, Kianga Jinaki, Michael Cummings, Minnie Melvin, Sharela May Bonfield, Sherry Shine, Shervone Neckles, Stephen Towns, Theda Sandiford, Tina Williams Brewer, Toni Thomas, Viki Craig, Wannetta Phillips, and Maureen Kelleher and The Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project.
NJ Arts Annual: Revision & Respond
Exhibit On View: June 17–August 22, 2021
Location: Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ
How did the pandemic, economic distress, and reckoning with racial injustice influence the artists? What emotions and perspectives do they express? How are they similar to or different from your personal experiences? We hope that these creative voices speak to you and offer a way to process the intense events of our current world.
My weaving, You Are So Articulate, is currently displayed at the 2021 New Jersey Arts Annual: ReVision and Respond at The Newark Museum of Art.
Each piece of yarn used to in this weaving is representative of a particular conversation where I was acknowledged for being able to express my thoughts and ideas. As you can see this conversation comes up quite a bit.
You Are So Articulate-
You Are So Articulate- close up
You Are So Articulate- close up
You Are So Articulate comes in many forms, including…
you speak so well… you are well read… you speak white… and even “that went better than I was expecting”, comment after I nail the presentation.
Telling someone they are well-spoken is a back handed compliment. It carries the connotation that, it is unusual for someone Black to be intelligent.
The completed weaving is displayed on a DYI loom, as if, it is a work in progress because some version of this conversation, continues still, till this very day.
I believe in materiality and sustainability, resulting in an affinity for using recycled materials in my artwork. My brain sees a re-use opportunity in everything. There are a few things I am currently amassing for ongoing repurposing projects.
I’m looking for abandoned shopping carts, plastic straws, old t-shirts and jeans, large colored bottle caps, pony beads, buttons, ribbon, yarn, bolts of fabric, paracord, fishing net, action figures, old toys and broken jewelry.
If you have access to any of these items, message me and let me know.
Being alive means having the capacity to carry past experiences and learn from them. But there is a point when this emotional baggage becomes too much. Carrying too much emotional baggage can literally stop us from being open to new experiences and growth.
How we choose to handle our baggage makes a difference. We have the choice to let it define us or to let it go and move forward.
With it’s festive pom poms and colorful African print fabric, Mind Over Matter is meant as a reminder that racial bias does not define me. It is a celebration of identity.
