Tag: Marine Waste

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No Chain Binds the Soul

No Chain Binds the Soul
Theda Sandiford
66x24x10”
Recovered marine line, sea tumbled, woven and knotted with eyelash yarn, fabric, acrylic yarn , deconstructed line, beads, bells and shells.
2024

This work bears witness to the unseen threads that connect the past, present, and future—an exploration of memory, magic, and spiritual protection, all woven into the fabric of life itself. Using marine debris collected from beaches in the aftermath of hurricanes, alongside conjure bags and objects such as locs of my hair, beads, shells, and my Dad’s old hearing aid batteries, I’ve created a sacred vessel to bridge the realms of the living and the dead.

Beads and shells
Green line
Handmade bells
Beaded center


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Tangled In Time


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 1
Tangled In Time – close up 2
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Transforming Trash into Treasure: Beach Clean-Up in St. Croix

Every week, I hit the shores of St. Croix armed not just with bags for trash, but with a vision. Ghost nets, marline line, and rope—once marine debris—are prized materials for my artwork. These discarded remnants not only mar our beautiful beaches but also tell a story of environmental neglect.

Through meticulous collection during beach clean-ups, I breathe new life into these discarded items. By repurposing them in my artwork, I not only create striking pieces but also raise awareness about ocean conservation and the impact of human activity on marine ecosystems.

I am turning the tide on pollution—one ghost net at a time.

Loading up the Jeep
Cleaning the small pieces
A good day’s haul
All coming together
Coiling rope