A dynamic presentation made up of a virtual exhibition and public art installation on Governors Island, Hidden in Plain Sight confronts the psychological impact of racial gaslighting as revealed in her everyday interactions.
This summer, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) presents Theda Sandiford: Hidden in Plain Sight, a dynamic presentation confronting the psychological and emotional impact of racial gaslighting in daily life.
On view now through August 23 in Nolan Park Building 7A, Governor’s Island, NYC.
More programming to come. Watch this space for dates and details
Bottle caps, neon yellow 550 paracord, 200′ neon yellow camo 850 paracord, hollow braided polyurethane rope, solar LED rope lights, recycled Fresh Direct bag and commercial fishing net, zip ties, gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart. Photo by April Tracey
Public Art Installation On View: May 2021 – May 2022
On Location: Summit Village Green, 356 Broad Street Summit, NJ
Three Emotional Baggage Carts are on display for the next year. I want to draw people in and spark their curiosity. Not only to discover what materials are used to create these sculptures, but to look within and recognize the emotional baggage they are carrying. Each cart is affixed with a solar panel. When the sun sets, the carts light up and take on a new meaning and form, glowing from within.
Hiding In Plain Sight
Solo Exhibit on View: June 10–August 23, 2021
On Location: The Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Arts (MoCADA)/ Nolan Park House 7A, Governors Island, NYC
Visit MoCADA’s Virtual Gallery here.
A dynamic presentation made up of a virtual exhibition and public art installation on Governors Island, Hidden in Plain Sight confronts the psychological impact of racial gaslighting as revealed in her everyday interactions.
The Social Fabric: Black Artistry in Fiber Arts, An Exhibition in Homage to Viki Craig
Exhibit On View: June 4, 2021 – October 24, 2021
On Location: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ
Curated by Gwendolyn Barrington Jackson, Nette Forné Thomas, Onnie Strother, and Wannetta Phillips (Art in the Atrium, Inc.), with Ronald T. Labaco (Morris Museum).
Featuring 50 works by over 27 artists, including Aminah Robinson, Beverly McCutcheon, Bisa Washington, Carole Robinson, Clara Nartey, Denise Toney, Ellaree Pray, Faith Ringgold, Gladys Barker Grauer, Glendora Simonson, Janet O. Green, Jeanine Bowen, Katie Commodore, Kianga Jinaki, Michael Cummings, Minnie Melvin, Sharela May Bonfield, Sherry Shine, Shervone Neckles, Stephen Towns, Theda Sandiford, Tina Williams Brewer, Toni Thomas, Viki Craig, Wannetta Phillips, and Maureen Kelleher and The Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project.
NJ Arts Annual: Revision & Respond
Exhibit On View: June 17–August 22, 2021
Location: Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ
How did the pandemic, economic distress, and reckoning with racial injustice influence the artists? What emotions and perspectives do they express? How are they similar to or different from your personal experiences? We hope that these creative voices speak to you and offer a way to process the intense events of our current world.
Bottle caps, neon yellow 550 paracord, 200′ neon yellow camo 850 paracord, hollow braided polyurethane rope, solar LED rope lights, recycled Fresh Direct bag and commercial fishing net, zip ties, gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart. Photo by April Tracey
Virtual Tour of ReVision and Respond
How have the past few years of turbulence, isolation, unrest, and injustice affected artists?
Join me for a free Virtual Tour of ReVision and Respond, showing at the Newark Museum of Art on June 24
Racial Gaslighting, hides in plain sight in everyday interactions. It subtly shifts dialog from a racist topic at hand onto the accuser – forcing me to question and re-assess my own response to racism, rather than the racism itself.
“You’re being overly dramatic.”
“Are you sure it was about race?”
“I’m sure he/she didn’t mean it like that.”
Intentional or not, these types of comments trigger a spiral of self-doubt and create a convenient way to avoid uncomfortable conversations about race.
The constant questioning, twisting and undermining of personal experience and what I know to be true – has had a compound negative affect upon me, manifesting in insomnia, anxiety and hefty amounts of emotional baggage. Through these works, I am exercising these demons.
This exhibition explores implicit biases facing BIPOC communities and the aesthetic armor for protection I have created to shield myself.
I started calling this cart Wide Load before I was even conscious of how much of my emotional baggage is tied to the food I eat. Don’t even think of visiting my Mom without her feeding you and taking a plate home. I can still smell , vivid memories of Father punishing me for not finishing my dinner plate and reminding of the starving children in Africa at the same time. A double whammy of eat your food and feel guilty about eating your food. I could go on and on…
Bottle caps, neon yellow 550 paracord, 200′ neon yellow camo 850 paracord, hollow braided polyurethane rope, solar LED rope lights, recycled Fresh Direct bag and commercial fishing net, zip ties, gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart. Photo by April TraceyBottle caps, neon yellow 550 paracord, 200′ neon yellow camo 850 paracord, hollow braided polyurethane rope, solar LED rope lights, recycled Fresh Direct bag and commercial fishing net, zip ties, gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart. Photo by April Tracey
Racial Gaslighting, hides in plain sight in everyday interactions. It subtly shifts dialog from a racist topic at hand onto the accuser – forcing them to question and re-assess their own response to racism, rather than the racism itself.
“You’re being overly dramatic.”
“Are you sure it was about race?”
“I’m sure he/she didn’t mean it like that.”
Intentional or not, these types of comments trigger a spiral of self-doubt and create a convenient way to avoid uncomfortable conversations about race.
The constant questioning, twisting and undermining of what I know to be true – has had a compound negative affect upon me, manifesting in insomnia, anxiety and hefty amounts of emotional baggage. Through these works, I am exercising these demons.
This exhibition explores implicit biases facing BIPOC communities and the aesthetic armor for protection I have created to shield myself.
The show will be on view in MoCADA’s virtual exhibition hall from May 3, 2021 to July 5, 2021. Viewing link to follow. Sneak peak below…
Give Me Body!: Femme Re-Divined Seeks to unravel how far society has come in our understanding, recognition, and celebration of the femme form — mind, body, and soul.
Exhibition Dates: Show is on display through April 12th. Don’t miss it.
LOCATION: Museum of African Diaspora Arts (MoCADA) 80 Hanson Place, Brooklyn NY
“Neon Auto Tune”
Theda Sandiford
Digital Collage on Metallic Photo Paper, AP
14″x11″m 20″x16″ framed
Studio Montclair’s: Love And Fear
Exhibition Dates: April 2 – April 29, 2019
Opening Reception: Sunday, April 7th, 3:00-5:45pm with a Panel Discussion 4:00-5:00pm
LOCATION: Montclair Public Library located at 50 S. Fullerton Avenue in Montclair NJ.
Masking Fear, This is the mask I wear when dealing with nasty gossip. Notice the repeating eyes seeing in front and the back of my head, so haters beware, I can see you even when you whisper behind my back
Spring Art Supply Swap
Marie Condo your art supplies… Bring a bag of supplies you are not using and swap it for something else. Craft paper, paint, colored pencils, frames, yarn, fabric… you get the idea. Anything goes.
Save the Date: Saturday, April 13, 2019, 12:00-3:00pm. Please RSVP
LOCATION: Garden Level Gallery, 315 3rd Street Jersey City NJ
Yarn Wrapping Circle
Imagine, hair. The elusive, coveted “good” hair. On some days and for some people, that is my hair. Or was. Or can be. But you should know by now – Don’t. Touch. My. Hair. That is unless you come help me make hair made from rope and yarn in this Yarn Wrapping Circle. No experience necessary, I will teach you the knots. Come for the fellowship or to try something new.
Save the Date: Sunday, April 14th 2019, 1:00-4:00, Please RSVP
LOCATION: Garden Level Gallery, 315 3rd Street Jersey City NJ
Viewpoints 2019
Exhibition Dates: May 2- June 15, 2019
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 4th from 7:00pm-9:00pm
LOCATION: Studio Montclair Gallery, 127 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair NJ
Inspired by the Queen Latifah lyric from “Come into my House”, MoCADA seeks to unravel how far society has come in its understanding, recognion, and celebration of the femme form –mind, body, and soul– to deliver anew vision for the future.
Curated by Amy Andrieux and Sophia Rose Opening party: March 8, 2019 @ 7pm-9pm (w/ performance artists) On View: March 8 – April 16, 2019 Location: MoCADA, Central Exterior Gallery @ 80 Hanson Place Brooklyn NY
