Conceptual Materials Social Practice Artist
I was recently reading an artist statement, where the artist described themselves as post-disciplinary.
Huh? I had to look it up…
Post-disciplinary focuses on the institutional aspects of academia and rejects the need for an organizational division of disciplines.
As a self taught artist, without an MFA, I guess that makes me post-disciplinary too.
Utilizing 100-foot extensions of rope, twine, and yarn impeccably wrapped, woven, tied and embellished with recycled beads, ribbon, lace, tape and bottle cap bobbles, I lure you into her hue-imbued, enmeshed installations symbolizing natural hair. My bold, albeit whimsically twisted and locked forms gingerly invite the audience into off the-wall conversations about micro aggressions against black women and their hair.
Using personal conflict as a starting point, I juxtapose various fibers with a variety of found materials using free form weaving, coiling, knotting, wrapping and jewelry making techniques. Meticulously collected materials, transformed by their collective memory become “social fabric” weaving together contemporary issues and personal narratives.
Community art making is also key to my process. Multi-disciplinary experiences pairing people, food, wine, music and art, create a safe space to explore themes such as equity & inclusion, sustainability and personal wellbeing.
I am an artist, craftivist and community builder.
I work lives at the intersection of memory and textile.
I prefer used and found fabrics and recycled materials that have object histories.
I am drawn by the ability of fiber and handwork to build communities and increase awareness of social/political issues.
Beauty is given –
and a given. It’s in the
streets and in the sky.
