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2021 Individual Artist Fellowship Award

I’m honored to be among the recipients of the 2021 Individual Artist Fellowship Awards from New Jersey State Council on the Arts in the category of Craft for my “I Am My Hair” series. I accept this honor, with humbled thanks, appreciation, and congratulations to all the other artists. Especially my artists friends; Donna Bassin, Raymond Mingst and Amy Becker.

The Individual Artist Fellowships are competitive awards to New Jersey artists in 12 rotating disciplines granted solely on independent peer panel assessment of work samples. The anonymous process is focused on artistic quality, and awards may be used to help artists produce new work and advance their careers. This program is carried out in partnership with the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

  • Ropes close up
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2021 International Juried Exhibition

I have two works of the 51 pieces in the show, selected from more than 740 entries from 259 artists by juror Victor Davson.

AND I won 3rd prize and a 2022 solo show at for The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, NJ.

Victor Davson had this to said about my piece…

The hanging/sculpture, Caribbean Friendship Bracelet, made of cotton rope, yarn, chenille and sari silk is a power object encoded with histories of cultural hegemony, indentureship, racial violence, the fight for freedom and solidarity fomented in the crucible of colonial rule.

Victor Davson

Exhibition Dates: 1/15/21 – 2/27/21.

See the virtual gallery HERE.

Caribbean Friendship Bracelet detail
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Color, Cuts and Contour Delineations

Take a break from the dank and drink in the color, whimsical line play and personal stories at 5 Points Art Gallery + Studios in Milwaukee, WI at “Color, Cuts, and Contour Delineations” Exhibition.

I am showing several new recently completed fiber works along with Anwar Floyd-Pruitt (Madison, WI) and Spencer Hutchinson (Chicago, IL).

The exhibition runs from February 5, 2021 until March 28, 2021.

The opening reception is from 6-9 p.m. on February 5, 2021 with an artist talk starting at 7 p.m. (CST) in person and via ZOOM. I’ll share the link when i get it.

Utilizing 100-foot extensions of rope, twine, and yarn wrapped, woven, tied and embellished with recycled beads, ribbon, pearls and tape to symbolize natural hair, I am inviting the audience to discuss microaggressions against black women and our hair.

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Inspired by Grace Jones

Thanks to pandemic protocols, images from Nottingham Contemporary (UK) exhibition about Grace Jones are online.

See the exhibit HERE.

Ive always loved Grace Jones for her fully unapologetic self expression. She is a true original.

“If You are Lonely When You are Alone, You’re in Bad Company”

Grace Jones
I Only Move Forwards, Never Backwards, Darling
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Caution Baggage Cart

Over Christmas break I left all the baggage ???? of 2020 behind in this cart to clear my way forward in 2021. And then other carts showed up so clearly, I have more baggage to excoriate.

Polyethylene braided rope, twine, silk ribbon, sari yarn, wool, ⚠️ caution tape, gold paracord, 1” strips of gold fabric, gold and bronze and gold Montana spray paint on recovered shopping cart.

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Inspiration by Jacob Hashimoto

I was first taken with Jacob Hashimoto images on Pinterest and found myself collecting his works for my inspiration board over and over again.

So imagine how tickled I was to learn TSGNY was hosting a virtual artist talk with him this Fall.

I had many questions about how he assembles his kites, the materials he uses and how he transports his large installation works. He answered all this and more.

It was an illuminating and inspiring talk. See for yourself…