Conceptual Materials Social Practice Artist
This exhibition explores implicit biases facing BIPOC communities and my aesthetic armor for protection.
The show will be on view in MoCADA’s virtual exhibition from May 3, 2021 to July 5, 2021.
Some key dates…
Virtual “Opening/Preview / Tour”: Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 7-9PM
Virtual Artist Talk: Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 7-9PM
Workshop: Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 3-5PM
We all carry emotional baggage Naturally; these manifests differently for each of us. Some of us carry suitcases of pain and bitterness while some of us just have a backpack. As an empath, I carry a lifetime of disappointments and racial traumas.
Being alive means having the capacity to carry past experiences and learn from them. But there’s a point when this baggage becomes too much. Carrying too much emotional baggage can literally stop us from being open to new experiences, intimacy 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.
My baggage carts are designed as a vessel for racial and class traumas. My baggage carts serve…
Microaggressions are defined as subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — everyday interactions or behaviors that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative racial messages or assumptions toward historically marginalized groups.
The difference between microaggressions and overt discrimination, is that people who commit microaggressions are often unaware they are doing these things – and if you point it out to them, they say, “That wasn’t my intention, you are being too sensitive.” Which is yet another microaggression.
I often have the experience of people touching my hair without asking first, which makes me feel like a merchandise on display. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve been complimented for being “articulate.” Which presumes that black people are not usually capable of competent intellectual conversation.
The weight of these daily interactions underpins very real consequences… stress, anger, frustration, self-doubt and ultimately feelings of powerlessness and invisibility.
Created using a combination of free form weaving, knotting and wrapping techniques, I have frozen these moments with, zip ties, ribbon, yarn, paracord, cotton rope, beading and recycled fishing nets to create protective armor.
