Conceptual Materials Social Practice Artist
Woeful news likes to go viral.
I will not let this despair settle in, like forlorn fog.
I will find something to rejoice.
Convert bad news into cheerful song.
And unshackle this emotional baggage from my spirit.
Woe Be Gone…
Woebegone: Emotional Baggage Cart
Neon painted recovered shopping cart, waterproof reflective tape and blacklight strip
woven with plastic grocery & newspaper bags, paracord and t-shirt yarn.
36” x 40” x 24”
May 2023
I am pleased to announce that the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh has commissioned a new emotional baggage cart for their collection.
Woebegone: Emotional Baggage Cart
Neon painted recovered shopping cart, waterproof reflective tape and blacklight strip
woven with plastic grocery & newspaper bags, paracord and t-shirt yarn.
42” x 24” x 42”, 63 ½ LBs
I even wrote a poem for the occasion….
Woeful news likes to go viral.
I will not let this despair settle in, like forlorn fog.
I will find something to rejoice.
Convert bad news into cheerful song.
And unshackle this emotional baggage from my spirit.
Woe Be Gone…
Great Resignation: Emotional Baggage Cart is being installed in the gallery at Novartis in East Hanover.
Im curious to see what emotional baggage is left behind in my cart by the employees of this the pharmaceutical company…
Location: Novartis, One Health Plaza, Building 434 Gallery East Hanover, NJ
Closing Reception: March 28th 6-9pm
Great Resignation: Emotional Baggage Cart is being installed in the gallery at Novartis in East Hanover.
Im curious to see what emotional baggage is left behind in my cart by the employees of this the pharmaceutical company…
Location: Novartis, One Health Plaza, Building 434 Gallery East Hanover, NJ
Opening Reception: February 28th, 12-2pm
Closing Reception: March 28th 6-9pm
Want to see the process making an Emotional Baggage Cart this summer on Governors Island at Art Crawl Harlem’s House?
Every Saturday, I’ve worked on the cart. I even made a Teddy Bear for the carriage and added a Bicycle bell at the suggestion of a visitor.
McCarty is living OUR best life in St. Croix. He left behind Wall Street and Savile Row Suits for the Caribbean Sea and cargo shorts.
He gifted me his collection of vintage silk ties for art supplies. And has not looked back on his old life at his Bloomberg terminal.
The Great Resignation is in honor of all the people who have chosen to honor themselves over their toxic work environments and take a leap of faith and Quit.
by Theda Sandiford
Free Your Mind is a textile public art installation aiming to collect, embed and release personal narratives about Microaggressions.
Microaggressions are subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — everyday interactions or behaviors that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial messages or assumptions toward historically marginalized groups.
The weight of these daily interactions underpins very real consequences… stress, anger, frustration, self-doubt and ultimately feelings of powerlessness and invisibility.
Free Your Mind intends to expose these interactions and provide a release for the participating individuals. Participants have the feeling of being seen and acknowledged while interacting with the installation.
The installation evolves with each new ribbon, keeping a public record of disempowering interactions, that can be exposed and addressed.
Last year, Free Your Mind toured, collecting story ribbons in Bayonne NJ, Jersey City NJ, and during Miami Art Week. This summer at Governors Island, Free Your mind is documenting your story.
In this weaving, each piece of yarn is representative of a conversation where I was acknowledged for being able to express my thoughts and ideas. Being told I’m well-spoken often comes off as a backhanded compliment. It carries problematic connotations that, it is unusual for someone of my race to be intelligent or eloquent.
The completed weaving is displayed on a DYI loom, as if the work is still in progress because some version of this conversation, continues still…
The assignment… collage one iPhone photo, to pass the time while riding NJ Transit 123 bus from Union City NJ to NYC the summer of 2015.
Have you ever had someone put their hands in your hair without asking first?
This was a regular occurrence for me while riding the bus or subway… before the Pandemic. This is not ok. Please don’t pet me like a dog because my hair fascinates you.
Today, I rarely use public transportation and work mostly from home. I wonder, has social distancing caused a shift in this behavior?
Protective zip tie blankets draped on two 8 foot antique library ladders.
I know you are tempted to touch…
