Stephanie J. Woods, a multi-disciplinary artist renowned for celebrating her cultural heritage, has been selected as the 2024 Curlee Raven Holton & Raven Fine Art Editions Distinguished Art Fellow by the School of Art Collection and Galleries at Kent State University.
To learn more about the artist and their upcoming show, we sat down with Woods for a few questions.
Your show “Stephanie J. Woods: The Genius of Play” will be on display at Kent State University this Fall. What inspired this body of work?
The inspiration for The Genius of Play emerged from an experience I had during a trip to Senegal in 2021. There, I had the privilege of learning batik dyeing from the artist Osman Ba. We were working on a piece with a checkerboard pattern, and Osman gave me a piece of advice that profoundly impacted me: he encouraged me to 'loosen up,' suggesting that in order to truly control the material, I needed to let go of my need for control. This insight sparked a transformation in my approach to creating art. I began to embrace a more playful, experimental process, focusing on the journey of making rather than the finished product.
This show also delves into the concept of adultification, particularly how Black children are often pushed into premature adulthood due to systemic racism. It raises questions about what it takes to create liberatory spaces where we can fully engage in play without the burdens of adult expectations. I’ve been reflecting on what these spaces would look like and what we would see, hear, and feel. Play is such a vital part of our lives—it helps us learn to interact with others, cope with emotions, and understand the world. Yet what happens when this freedom to play is constrained? What is the potential impact on our development and well-being?
Your shows often include multiple mediums that create a sensory experience for the viewer. Have you found a specific medium you are most drawn to?
I view the various mediums I use—photography, sculpture, textiles, video, and sound—as integral parts of a cohesive artistic practice. To me, they all coexist harmoniously, much like the essential components in a recipe. Each medium brings something unique to the table, and I rely on them all to create a richer, more nuanced experience for the viewer. My journey in the arts began with textiles, which holds a special place in my heart. From my early years, I studied sewing with a seamstress, and this foundational experience continues to influence my work.
Photography, on the other hand, has become a central element in my practice. It allows me to construct compositions in a way similar to painting, merging various disciplines into a single image. I also enjoy experimenting with turning my photographs into moving audio pieces, which combines my love for different forms and creates a more immersive experience. Each medium I use contributes to the overall narrative I want to convey, and I find that blending them together enhances the depth and impact of my work.
You were recently selected as the 2024 Curlee Raven Holton and Raven Fine Art Editions Distinguished Art Fellowship Recipient. How does culture, identity, and history influence your work?
My work draws heavily from both historical contexts and my personal experiences. Moments such as cooking soul food with my family at cookouts, watching Venus and Serena Williams break barriers in tennis during my youth, and more recently, interacting with my niece who loves to shake her hair beads, as well as the achievements of athletes like Sha'Carri Richardson and Coco Gauff, have all shaped my practice. These experiences and observations contribute to my desire to challenge dominant narratives and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of my community. Through my art, I strive to honor and celebrate the creativity and resilience within my community.
While you are on campus, you will be visiting classes and collaborating with student artists. What are you most looking forward to during this experience?
As an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico, one of the aspects I cherish most is witnessing my students discover! Seeing them engage with different materials and concepts and observing how they bring their own sensibilities to their work is incredibly rewarding. I’m equally excited about the opportunity to interact with Kent State University students and collaborate on a print series for the same reasons. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, engaging in dialogues with students and faculty, and contributing to the artistic conversations on campus.
The exhibition “Stephanie J. Woods: The Genius of Play” runs Oct. 25 – Nov. 26, 2024. There will be an artist reception on Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m., and an artist talk Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. All events are free, open to the public and take place at the Center for the Visual Arts Gallery (325 Terrace Drive, Kent, Ohio).
This exhibit is free and open to the public and has been brought to you with support from the Ohio Arts Council.
Header images, from left to right:
Stephanie J. Woods, “Shake EM I,” 2022; Afro hair, hair beads, yarn, barrettes, and hand dyed cotton fabric. Archival Ink-Jet print, 24” X 36” X 2”
Stephanie J. Woods, “Shake EM II,” 2022; Afro hair, hair beads, yarn, and hand dyed cotton fabric. Archival Ink-Jet print, 24” X 36” X 2”
ABOUT STEPHANIE J. WOODS
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stephanie J. Woods serves as an Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Art at the University of New Mexico. Born in Seneca, SC, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Woods cultivates an artistic practice that focuses on preserving and celebrating her culture.
In 2021, Woods was selected to attend the artist residency Black Rock Senegal and was awarded the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art by the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina. In the summer of 2023, she opened two solo museum shows, one at the Sarasota Art Museum and another at the Harvey, B. Gantt Museum for African American Art + Culture.
ABOUT THE CURLEE RAVEN HOLTEN & RAVEN FINE ART EDITIONS DISTINGUISHED ART FELLOWSHIP
Each year, the Curlee Raven Holton & Raven Fine Art Editions Distinguished Art Fellowship invites artists of national and international reputations to engage with KSU students, staff, and the broader community. Established in 2023 by artist Curlee Raven Holton, this fellowship seeks to highlight underrepresented artists and "close the gap" on students' understanding of artistic communities outside of their own.