Big Mouth On View

Catch Big Mouth on View at Paradigm Talent Agency NYC Office through the end of February

This body of work is a collection of one sided conversations. As a woman, I find it is often easier to make my way in the world by keeping my mouth shut. To simply grin and bare it when haters, well meaning friends or co-workers say or do something incorrect or insensitive.

As a child, my father would say to me, “Better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt”. So in keeping my mouth shut, I learned, to be seen, and selectively heard.

With ‘Big Mouth’, I am all of it. The sass, the crass, the erudite and more than that, aware. Aware of the language used to quiet me down. To remind me of what is and most importantly, what isn’t being said.

  • “Neon Auto Tune” Theda Sandiford Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP 14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed
  • “Of Thee I Sing” Theda Sandiford Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP 14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed
  • “B Rhapsody” Theda Sandiford Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP 14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed
  • “Alto” Theda Sandiford Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP 14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed
  • “Stay Woke” Theda Sandiford Golden High Flow acrylic, Golden Soft Gel Gloss acrylic skin, Tulip dimensional fabric paint, gesso, Montana Gold spray paint, recycled envelops, fabric squares from a quilt, tissue paper, felt from post consumer recycled fibers, glitter stars on canvas. 20″x20″x1″
  • “Me Too” Theda Sandiford Golden High Flow acrylic, Golden Soft Gel Gloss acrylic skin, Tulip dimensional fabric paint, gesso, Montana Gold spray paint, recycled envelops, fabric squares from a quilt, tissue paper, felt from post consumer recycled fibers, glitter stars on canvas. 20″x20″x1″
  • “Wakanda Forever” Theda Sandiford Golden High Flow acrylic, Golden Soft Gel Gloss acrylic skin, Tulip dimensional fabric paint, gesso, Montana Gold spray paint, recycled envelops, fabric squares from a quilt, tissue paper, felt from post consumer recycled fibers, glitter stars on canvas. 20″x20″x1″
  • “I Can’t Even” 24″ x 18″ x 1″ in Medium: Acrylic paint, acrylic skin, plastic mesh, self leveling gel, tissue paper, cardboard, vinyl, glitter, gold leaf, beads, rhinestones, marbles, plastic army men on canvas board. October 2017
  • “By the Seat of my Pants” 20″x20″x1 Mixed Media Canvas
  • “Never Hide” 20″x20″x1 Mixed Media Canvas Acrylic skin, painted cardboard, tissue paper, recycled envelops, glitter, beads, bottle caps 2017
  • I define my own identity and relish the opportunity to occupy the position of both insider and outsider rather than insider or outsider. This is one of the many masks I wear. Wine -o -Clock Theda Sandiford 20″x20″x1 Mixed Media Canvas Made with Handmade paper, recycled paper, tissue paper, newspaper, magazine cut out, acrylic skins, acrylic paint, glitter and recycled memory jewel. 2017

Digital Big Mouths- New Metallic Photo Prints

My status as “other” does not always grant the luxury to say what is truly there for me, to correct a slight or present an alternative point of view. I have to be vigilantly self aware, and know the right time to speak up or how to frame my words so that they can be received in the best possible light. Sharing my uncensored opinion can quickly get me labeled as being “too big in a room” or worse an “Angry Black Woman”. When that happens, full stop. My opinion is dismissed outright. Somewhere along the way, I’ve even stopped correcting people who mispronounce my name. It’s Thee-duh if you are interested.

11″x14″ print in frame, 20″x16″ total size.

“Alto” Theda Sandiford Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP 14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed
“Of Thee I Sing” Theda Sandiford Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP 14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed
“Neon Auto Tune” Theda Sandiford Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP 14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed
“B Rhapsody” Theda Sandiford Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP 14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed

An Experiment…

What if i let my mind wander and see where my hands lead me…

These abstract figurative self portraits where made over the course of 5 weekends using the fine print from my MS medication, Tysbari and other recycled paper scrapes Ive been hoarding all year.

Acrylic paint, Sharpie, colored pencils, pastels, Distress Stain, mica spray, Tysabri newsprint, hand printed deli paper, construction paper, recycled Tazo tea box, tulle, glitter stars, glitter glue and rhinestones on 12″x9″Canson paper.

Abstract figurative experiment in progress.

New Mixed Media Big Mouths

As a woman of color, I find It is often easier to make my way in the world by keeping my mouth shut. To simply grin and bare it when haters, well meaning friends or co-workers say or do something incorrect or insensitive. As a child, my father would say to me, “Better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt” So I learned to keep my mouth shut, to be seen, and selectively heard.

My status as “other” does not always grant the luxury to say what is truly there for me, to correct a slight or present an alternative point of view. I have to be vigilantly self aware, and know the right time to speak up or how to frame my words so that they can be received in the best possible light. Sharing my uncensored opinion can quickly get me labeled as being “too big in a room” or worse an “angry black woman”. When that happens, full stop. My opinion is dismissed outright. Somewhere along the way, I’ve even stopped correcting people who mispronounce my name. It’s Thee-duh if you are interested.

It can be frustrating to constantly edit myself for the sake of others but thank goodness I have my art as a vehicle for my voice to be heard, long after I’m gone. This body of work is a collection of one sided conversations. The things I wish I said or could say, the things I say under my breath or the affirmations I use to remind myself that my voice is relevant even when no one is listening.
Thanks to Big Mouth… look who has the last word now.

“Stay Woke” Theda Sandiford Golden High Flow acrylic, Golden Soft Gel Gloss acrylic skin, Tulip dimensional fabric paint, gesso, Montana Gold spray paint, recycled envelops, fabric squares from a quilt, tissue paper, felt from post consumer recycled fibers, glitter stars on canvas. 20″x20″x1″
“Me Too” Theda Sandiford Golden High Flow acrylic, Golden Soft Gel Gloss acrylic skin, Tulip dimensional fabric paint, gesso, Montana Gold spray paint, recycled envelops, fabric squares from a quilt, tissue paper, felt from post consumer recycled fibers, glitter stars on canvas. 20″x20″x1″
“Wakanda Forever” Theda Sandiford Golden High Flow acrylic, Golden Soft Gel Gloss acrylic skin, Tulip dimensional fabric paint, gesso, Montana Gold spray paint, recycled envelops, fabric squares from a quilt, tissue paper, felt from post consumer recycled fibers, glitter stars on canvas. 20″x20″x1″

Body Glitch

Please join me for Body Glitch: featuring the work of Sybil Archibald, Theda Sandiford (me), Katinka Neuhof, Maria Mineo, Monica Chulewicz, and Rosary Solimanto at the Window Gallery at Paul Robeson Galleries, in The Hahnes Building, Newark.
The opening reception is October 18 from 6:00-8:00pm.
The exhibition runs through March 16, 2019.

DATE: October 18th, 2018

TIME: 6:00pm-8:00pm

LOCATION: 54 Halsey Street, 3rd Floor | Newark, NJ 07102

Monday-Wednesday, 12pm-5pm
Thursday, 12pm-8pm
Saturday, 12pm-5pm

Headache
Digital collage of mixed media collage #Selfie

Sewing Circle Part 3 this Sunday

I printed my Woman Woman Selfie onto heavy fabric for a 10’x8′ tapestry.

Im on deadline for a show and need help sewing bottle caps, buttons and beads onto the fabric for the hair. I need help sewing on bling.

I’ll be at Garden Level Gallery from 11:00am-4:00pm Sunday 7/29. Come for 30mins or come for the duration. Bring a friend or just yourself.

RSVP

Yes, I will have snacks and day drinking beverages on hand… 🙂

If you can’t sew, don’t worry, this You Tube video will teach you the basics.


Photo by Khaled Elbanna

Side Eye Banners in Montclair

Side Eye will be displayed on banners installed prominently in Montclair’s business and arts districts this Fall.

The Limited Edition, 3/5 aluminum print will be displayed in one of SMI’s gallery spaces during the fall of 2018 (more info to come). DM me if you are interested in this piece. There are two left in this edition.

A huge thank you to juror, Nette Forne Thomas for selecting my work. I am humbled.

Side Eye
For a perfect side-eye you have to keep your head steady and straight ahead and do it all with your eyes. Side Eye 24 x 20 x 1 in Aluminum Print Subject Matter: Identity 2015

Window Display, Down The Shore

Ever been advised to keep your “big mouth shut” and remain silent? Or to be mindful how “big In The Room” you are?
Well, I say to hell with that. Say what needs to be said. Do you…

 

Installation of Infinite Possibilities

Im redoing the art in the lobby of A Condo in downtown Jersey City for the month of June. 

The opening reception will be Friday, June 8th, 7:00pm-9:00pm. Please come see…

LOCATION: 389 Washington St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

The show, Infinite Possibilities is the personification of my artist statement, for real for real.

WE all wear masks. Masks to pretend, to hide, to celebrate or just to put our best face forward in a selfie.

I construct masks for protection. What may start off as an ugly statement, in the end, becomes something beautiful.

I transform drawings, photographs, along with found and meticulously collected materials into self-portraits.

I photograph my process and then digitally manipulate these images to extend the narrative as part of my personal mythology.

Fragmented identity juxtaposed with the existence of infinite possibilities is a recurring theme in my work.

The show consists of four early mixed media works 24″x12″ , two large aluminum prints 40″x30″, Headache and ZYX, one 30″x30″ mixed media portrait, three underworld goddesses 20″x20″ and three Gossip girl masks 20″x20″. Im also draping two 20’x10′ fabric panels of my print “Tag 8” from the ceiling to floor in the seating area.