Artist Interview: Sheherazade Thenard
Hello all, Svitlana here. I had such a great time learning more about Sheherazade and her art! We chat about her ties to Martiniquan culture, the difficulty around conveying race in an academic setting, and more! Let’s dive in.
Sv: In your artist statement and your pieces, you bring attention to the representation of cultural backgrounds that are lost in assimilation. Can you tell us more about the importance that keeping the culture alive holds to you?
S.T: Through a long generational process of assimilation, my familial ties to Martiniquan culture were small from the start. There was always a sense of the bittersweet whenever the women in my family would reminisce about their early life between Martinique and the U.S. over what they loved and the parts they left behind. Growing up purely in the U.S., hearing these stories and the pride behind them became a means of connection for me and I wanted to learn more. That said, when my grandmother passed, I lost the person whose stories resonated with me most.
This series explores my need to reclaim a sense of cultural history through documenting family photos and heirlooms.
To me this is important because we are a part of a bigger story, a story that defines not only who we are, but one that allows us to redefine what we could become.
Sv: You portray your figures in a very natural state, and mention examining the narratives surrounding black bodies. Can you tell us how the narratives integrate or separate with your depiction of the figures?
S.T. Growing up in Florida and coming from a background where the women in my family cultivated of both producing and plants for pleasure, I often incorporate the natural environment into my work. Nature serves as a symbol that dually suggest entrapment and sanctuary from societal pressures. In older work I explore these ideas with figures at ease and are lost in thought as a form of escapism. Currently I’m experimenting with figural landscapes that build on these themes by composing spaces where black subjects participate with land in ways, they’ve been stereotypically left out of, at leisure.
Sv: We are strong believers that the more people discuss failure, the less significant the possibility of it becomes. In our society, we are so terrified of possibility of something not working out, that it halts our efforts to begin with. Can you share a time where something did not work out and how you moved forward? (this is the question we ask everyone)
S.T: My biggest Achilles heel is procrastination. I’ve missed out on many a great opportunity because I spent my time thinking about it (ie. work deadlines, applications to competitions and residencies, etc.) when I should have been working toward it. It really comes down to organization and time management
Sv: Any advice for a beginner artist feeling lost in their direction?
S.T: When I began to make work about my identity it was a somewhat terrifying to be openly vulnerable about subject matters that are close to heart. When the work is culturally inclined or regarding race relations, it can be difficult to convey (especially in academic settings) your experience is different from others in the room and why it’s important to address. What helped me most was finding a community of artist and people who understood exactly where I came from; it became a safe space to process my ideas and share stories with people who’ve had similar experiences. This community comes from friends and family, but also meeting those who are local to you through events or connecting with like minds on social media.
Sv: Any events, projects, or exhibits coming up you'd like to share?
S.T: At the moment, I’m focused on building my body of work while I complete my master’s program; in the meantime, a group of artists and I are collecting to have a summer exhibition, so keep an eye open! Additionally, I have some work up with @Redifinearts and I will be participating in a coffee chat along with other artist featured in the Downtown Arts District’s Bloomingdales Showroom March 20th!
Learn more about Sheherazade by visiting her website: sheherazadeart.com
Or find her on social media IG: @sheherazade.thenard
