Theda Sandiford - Twilight of the Bow

2019, Mixed media cotton rope, yarn, chenille and recycled sari silk, Size (h w d): 80 x 10 x 12 in. These are the colors of twilight off the bow of our boat in the Caribbean

I often have the experience of people touching my hair without asking first, which makes me feel like a merchandise on display. The weight of these daily interactions underpins very real consequences… stress, anger, frustration, self-doubt and ultimately feelings of powerlessness and invisibility.

Using racial injustice as a starting point, I juxtapose various fibers with a variety of found materials using free form weaving, coiling, knotting and jewelry making techniques. Meticulously collected materials, transformed by their collective memory become “social fabric” weaving together contemporary issues and personal narratives.

Extensions of rope, twine, and yarn impeccably wrapped, woven, tied and embellished with recycled beads, ribbon, lace, tape and bottle cap bobbles lure you into a hue-imbued, installations symbolizing natural hair. These bold whimsically twisted locks gingerly invite the audience into off the-wall conversations about microaggressions against black women and our hair.

I have deployed memories, zip ties, ribbon, yarn, paracord, braided rope, bottle caps, fishing nets and even shopping carts to encourage dialog about implicit bias and stereotypes. The repetitious and meditative process has healing properties. My hope is to make invisible pain, visible, as a path towards a more inclusive culture.

Theda Sandiford is an award-winning self-taught fiber and installation artist based in Jersey City, NJ.

Using racial trauma as a starting point, Theda juxtaposes various fibers with a variety of found materials using free form weaving, coiling, knotting, crochet, and jewelry making techniques. Meticulously collected materials and community donations, transformed by their collective memory become “social fabric,” weaving together contemporary issues and personal narratives.

Community art making is key to her process. Theda curates’ multi-disciplinary experiences pairing people, sound and art making to create a safe space to explore themes such as equity & inclusion, sustainability, and personal wellbeing.

Theda has shown extensively nationwide; including Expo Chicago, Untitled Art Fair, SPRING/BREAK ART SHOW, Governor’s Island, New Jersey Arts Annual and American Contemporary Craft: National Juried Exhibition. Theda received Excellence in Fibers VI from Fiber Art Now, the 2020 Jersey City Arts, Visual Artist Award, the 2021 Fellowship in Craft from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and 2022 Jersey City Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship.