SNAG is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019 and is honoring its membership by highlighting different artists on the SNAG website.
Introduce yourself (background, education, preferred mediums/styles, etc.)
I was born in Barbados and moved to NY for college in 2013. I graduated from Pratt Institute in 2018 with a BFA in Jewelry Design. Prior to my education in the arts, I studied mechanical engineering drawing and physics, which I pull on heavily to realize my pieces. My concepts dictate my choice of material, but I have particular interest in materials that hold ‘DNA’ of people or places such as hair or ocean water.
What are your goals in creating the work that you do? Are there any concepts you are particularly interested in?
Currently I am exploring the concept of the sea as my material. I have been renegotiating the relationship Barbadians, other Caribbean islanders and their diaspora have with the sea through a series of installations, performances and small scale wearable pieces. This body of work will foster an environment for social dialogue about the current ways of thinking and being as islanders regarding immigration and the effects of our history on our present state. I hope to collectively investigate generational trauma with my audience.
What does your work mean to you? Why create these objects?
My work is how I communicate and breakdown issues or curiosities that I am confronted with. Art making is so therapeutic that I make sure my process involves a meditative component; whether it be sewing, embroidering, playing in sand, going to the beach to collect my materials, felting, hiking and exploring; I make sure I make it enjoyable for myself. I then present my objects like ‘look, this is what I’m thinking, do you feel the same, is it different through your eyes, does this help you? Let’s talk, let’s heal, let’s make changes.’ Sometimes I see my pieces as peace offerings to others and even to myself, to reconcile differences and shift prejudices.
How and when did you arrive at your membership with SNAG?
I came to know of SNAG in my junior year in college; a group of students including myself were invited to attend the conference in New Orleans. The conference was very instrumental in shaping my approach to my work after attending. Since then I became a member.
How have you witnessed SNAG (and metalsmithing in general) evolve since first beginning your membership?
My membership thus far has been short but SNAG has made strides in the direction of diversifying their body of speakers to include more people of color. It is very encouraging to see people like myself represented in the metalsmithing field.
What are your plans for the future? Is there anything specific that you hope to accomplish or achieve in 2019?
I am working to better represent the breadth of my work as a multidisciplinary artist. I currently have a series of performance-based works planned for execution over the coming 6-month period. These works will expand my social practice. I am extremely excited for the interactions this work will bring and the relationships I will build with communities and institutions.
To learn more about Taisha and her work, visit www.taishacarrington.com
