Shaunda Holloway, Keep Your Eyes Open
I am here, here I am, and I have been here….
Shaunda Holloway’s own words best summarize the essence of both her work and life; the New Haven artist’s mixed-media prints and collages depict the artist’s passion for and use of material process as a vehicle for exploration of emotional states alongside personal and cultural identity. Block and screen prints on wood, linen, and found objects are combined with paint resulting in rich, immediate, and raw imagery that reflect on concepts of presence and representation -- as the artist herself states, “I am here, here I am, and I have been here.” Words are integral to Holloway’s overall creative practice, whether combined in her visual artwork or as part of her poetry or spoken word -- all providing fertile poetic ground for the artist to tell her own story.
ABOUT
Shaunda Holloway is painter/printmaker and writer born in New Haven, CT. Her writing has been published in ESSENCE magazine, CT Post, Inner City, Stand Our Ground Poems for Trayvon Martin and Marissa Alexander and other publications. Her paintings and prints have been exhibited throughout the east coast, and as far as New Delhi, India.
STATEMENT
“It’s a privilege to be an artist and a great responsibility. The materials dictate the outcome for me. Working with tactile items like wood, bogolanfini (mudcloth), linen, and other fabrics gives a unique texture and character to my prints.
As a painter wood is much more satisfying to paint on. Sometimes the grain comes through in the piece which provides excitement. With printmaker, textiles offer tremendous possibilities—every fabric has its own story to tell.
Using both acrylic and oil paints and printing ink, it is my effort to express the things many wish to say: I am here, here I am, and I have been here.”