Tangled In Time Theda Sandiford 64x24x8” Commerical fishing net recovered from Ha’Penny Beach St Croix USVI, crochet Locs saved from previous hairstyles worn by the artist between 2019-2021 2024
This artwork reveals the unseen threads linking past, present, and future, woven with memory, magic, and spiritual protection. Crafted from a blue commercial fishing net washed ashore after a hurricane and crocheted with gray locs, this sacred net bridges the realms of the living and the dead.
Carrying ancestral memories, the net honors those lost in the Atlantic slave trade, paying tribute to the water graves of those who perished. Each knot and thread serves as a conduit, extending beyond the physical realm to embody renewal and release. This piece reminds us that the souls of the departed endure, shaping our collective consciousness.
Tangled In Time – close up 1Tangled In Time – close up 2
Beaded Yellow Gal Theda Sandiford 80x16x5” Upcycled textiles knotted on braided rope, knotted with cotton string eyelash yarn, fringe and a string of antique bells. 2023
Beaded Yellow Gal transforms a childhood label into a vibrant narrative of self-definition. This work is made from upcycled linens, knotted into braided rope, intertwined with cotton string, eyelash yarn, cascading fringe, and adorned with a string of antique bells. Each element serves as both a reflection of personal history and a declaration of reclamation.
As a child, being called “yellow gal” was an imposed identity. This work channels those experiences into a masquerade costume of vivid color, movement, and sound. The antique bells echo the complex duality of celebration and weight, signaling liberation while reminding us of the chains of societal labels. The knots and textures speak to the intricate weave of identity, shaped by memory, context, and culture.
In transforming this identity into a carnival costume, I claim agency over a narrative once imposed on me. This piece becomes a symbol of transformation—a vibrant expression of joy and defiance that can be worn but, crucially, also taken off. It reminds us that the labels others place on us do not define who we are but can become threads in the larger tapestry of our self-created story.
This piece honors all the girls with beaded braids who grew up watching the Williams sisters, finding strength and pride in their grace, power, and unapologetic excellence—both on the court and in the court of public opinion. Venus and Serena embody Black excellence, breaking barriers and redefining what is possible. This artwork is a salute to their legacy and to the generations inspired by their resilience and brilliance.
Crafted from two vintage tennis rackets, African print fabric, paracord, loop yarn, bottle caps, ribbon hair beads, a watch face, acorns, and other ephemera, the work weaves together materials that symbolize both heritage and individuality. The beaded elements evoke the rhythmic sounds of braids on the move, echoing the energy and determination of every young girl daring to see herself in their story.
This artwork, crafted from three-ply cotton glitter rope, intricately knotted and wrapped with eyelash yarn, embroidery floss, and crystal beads, forms the foundational layer of a spiritual altar. Designed to harmonize with feathers, shells, and a bowl of water, it amplifies elemental energies to create a sacred space for reflection, connection, and renewal.
Its circular form embodies the cyclical nature of life and the continuous flow of energy, symbolizing the infinite interplay between air and water. The shimmering materials catch and reflect light, evoking sunlight filtering through shifting clouds or the unseen yet ever-present currents of wind moving through the atmosphere. This piece invites a meditative engagement, weaving together elements of nature and spirit into a unified, radiant whole.
This soft fiber sculpture is inspired by my research into the traditional masquerade costumes of St. Croix’s Old Time Christmas Festival.
It represents “Pitchy Patchy,” a character known for wearing a suit of tattered, colorful fabric pieces. In the festival, Pitchy Patchy acts as an enforcer, maintaining order among the carnival masquerades and performers.
Upcycled Patagonia shorts wrapped with embroidery floss, 4 ply worsted wool, soft rainbow wool, eyelash yarn, embellished with wooden and metal beads, cowrie shells and hair jewelry.
After The Dance Theda Sandiford 22x12x5” Wire, beaded bib, chenille, ribbon, acrylic yarns, metallic rayon fabric, metallic yarn knotted and wrapped on three ply cotton rope. 2024
After The Dance is a vibrant homage to the spirit of Caribbean carnival festivities—a celebration of the transformative power of joy. This piece, crafted from wire, a beaded bib, chenille, ribbon, acrylic yarns, metallic rayon fabric, metallic yarn, and three-ply cotton rope, captures the kaleidoscope of color and movement that defines carnival.
The textures and materials intertwine to evoke the exuberance of masquerade costumes, the rhythm of soca and calypso, and the shimmer of sequins catching the sun.
Through this work, I reflect on the ephemeral yet profound nature of carnival. The piece is a snapshot of the moments “after the dance,” when the streets grow quieter but the energy of celebration lingers, echoing in our bodies and spirits.
After The Dance invites the viewer to celebrate the beauty of transformation, community, and the enduring cultural legacies carried forward through carnival—a vivid reminder that even in the aftermath, the spirit of the dance lives on.
There’s still a chance to participate in “Free Your Mind” at both the Delaware Contemporary and Touchstone Center for Crafts. This unique program invites community members to engage in a journey of self-expression and collective healing by releasing microaggressions from their personal narrative.
Share your story, connect with others, and contribute to a larger narrative of transformation. Join us and free your mind!
I am not speaking but I am planning to get my learn on, and act up in the chat. Care to join me?
Online Conference Presented Over 3 Fridays in July: July 12th, July 19th, July 26th
Schedule for Virtually Woven 2024! Three consecutive Fridays, with each Friday featuring a Panel Discussion, a Lunch Basket, and an Event. 11am to 3:30pm Each Friday – ALL times are Pacific Time
Friday July 12 – Gathered Gathered: a Panel Discussion Host: Eric Stark Panelists: Jeannet Leenderste, Kadey Ambrose, and Delia Fian
Lunch Basket: How do you begin? Do you gather? If so What & Why? Host: Anne Bowers
Friday July 19 – Alternative Host: Nick DeFord Panelists: Julia Gartrell, Linda Tien, Ellen Kelckner, and Lela Arruza
Event: Speaker: Gyöngy Laky, The Architecture of Basketry
Lunch Basket:Every1 Member Sharing Hosts: Emily Dvorin and Tony Best
Friday July 26 – Installed Installed: Panel Discussion Hosts: Ann Coddington & Amie Adelman Panelists: Rebecca Hutchinson, Carmen Mardonez, and Ashley Blalock
Lunch Basket: Tips & Tricks! Packing, Installation, and Presentation of Work Host: David Bacharach
Event Speaker: Jo Stealey, The Mind of a Maker
Closing of Virtually Woven 2024 (Including Nick DeFord’s signature cocktail/mocktail for this year!)
Virtually Woven 2024 is open to the public. The registration fee for all three days is $80. NBO members receive a discounted registration fee of $60 for all three days. Individual day passes are not available. Video recordings of panels and presentations will be available to members only on the NBO website after the conclusion of the conference.
