Theda Sandiford
Death By 10,000 Paper Cuts, 2020
Recycled commercial fishing net, silk sari ribbon and ten thousand 4" zip ties 70 x 12 x 6 in
My work Death by 10,000 Papercuts uses recovered commercial fishing net, 10,000 zip ties and silk sari yarn to illuminate the impact of the daily microaggressions I experience at work and the world at large.. The term, Death by a thousand cuts is derived from a form of Chinese torture known as lingchi, where a person is subjected to hundreds of small cuts until death occurs. If you get one papercut, it is uncomfortable, but the wound eventually heals. Imagine getting multiple paper cuts on a daily basis. Small cuts upon cuts upon cuts. This is what microaggressions feels like. You will not die from one paper cut, but the experience of multiple insults, both verbal, nonverbal, and/ visual underpins very real consequences for me… stress, anger, frustration, self-doubt and ultimately feelings of invisibility and powerlessness.
Theda Sandiford
All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go Collection, 2020
Vintage hat, shoes and bag, 3 ply cotton rope, pearls, rhinestones, wrapped rope, yarn, trim, beading on steel structure. Each structure is 72 x 18 x 18 in
While in lockdown during the first month of the Pandemic, I decided to organize my closet and storage unit. While sorting through my things, childhood memories of playing dress up in my mother's clothes flooded my brain. I have recreated this moment through this installation.
Theda Sandiford
You Are So Articulate, 2021
Hollow braid polypropylene rope, paracord, ribbon, yarn, 3 ply cotton cord, braided nylon cord, nails on artist made loom. 72 x 48 x 2 in
In this weaving, each piece of yarn is representative of a conversation where I was acknowledged for being able to express my thoughts and ideas. Being told I’m well-spoken often comes off as a backhanded compliment. It carries problematic connotations that, it is unusual for someone of my race to be intelligent or eloquent. The completed weaving is displayed on a DYI loom, as if the work is still in progress because some version of this conversation, continues still...
Theda Sandiford
Corporate Crossroads Jail Net, 2022
Black metallic yarn, handmade eyelash yarn, black and brown cotton/rayon poly blend fabric, African printed fabric, vintage African fabric wrapped on recycled polyurethane spliced jungle gym rope netting. 79 x 24 x 72 in
Despite the growing commitment to racial equity, the day-to-day experiences of women of color are not improving. Women of color face similar types and frequencies of microaggressions as they did two years ago – and they remain far more likely than white women to face disrespectful and “othering” behavior.
Theda Sandiford
Purple Fiesta: Baggage Cart, 2021
1” cut strips of African print fabric, acrylic yarn, pony beads, pom poms, bells, 850 paracord, cool LED lights and ziptie blanket on a gold recovered shopping cart. 41 x 27 x 42 in
When Im not invited to the party, i'll just throw a little fiesta for myself...
Theda Sandiford
Power Puff, Black Racing Stripe Baggage Cart, 2021
Bike reflectors, paracord, Fresh Direct bag yarn, doggie poop bags, plastic newspaper bags and plastic grocery bags woven on gold spray painted recovered shopping cart. 36 x 40 x 24 in
Joy is a form of resistance.
Theda Sandiford
Lady Whistlesdown Baggage Cart, 2020
Silk, satin and mesh ribbon knotted on commercial fishing net on gold recovered shopping cart 44 x 29 x 48 in
The ribbon blanket was made on Xmas 2020 during two back to back viewing of Bridgerton
Theda Sandiford
Morning Dew, 2020
250' Cotton rope, yarn, and a string of pearls on 8' steel structure 96 x 16 x 16 in
The ornamental grasses on my roof deck sway gently, with the breeze. Holding droplets of dew , while the sun rises. The light dancing between the high rises, in boomerang reflection. Warming the air and evaporating the pearl like droplets, into vapor.
Theda Sandiford
I Can’t Breathe: Emotional Baggage Cart, 2021
CPAC Tubing, solar rope lights, gold 550 paracord, zip ties, gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart. 36 x 40 x 24 in
We all carry emotional baggage Naturally; these manifests differently for each of us. Some of us push shopping carts of pain while some of us just have a backpack. I carry a lifetime of racial trauma.
Theda Sandiford
Blackty Black Blanket, 2020
10 'x 5' Recycled commercial fishing net and black 4" zip tie blanket on white leather chaise lounge chair. 120 x 60 x 36 in
Racial Gaslighting, hides in plain sight in everyday interactions. It subtly shifts dialog from a racist topic at hand onto me, the accuser – forcing me to question and re-assess my own response to racism, rather than the racism itself.
