Artist Statement

As a South Asian woman who grew up in suburban Minnesota and lived in South America, I know that issues of identity can be as fluid as the sea. A dual-identity can be a burden, a cause for confusion, but in creating artwork my identity as both South Asian and American has become a great source of excitement and inspiration. I explore cultural differences, East meets West themes, and the experience of being a woman of color in my work. The influences of my travels around the globe are ever-present—Gaudi in Barcelona, the sun and the sea, the flora and fauna of the tropics, the patterns and colors of India I was exposed to as a child, and the barren winter trees of Minnesota, for example. I weave together images, textures, and landscapes I’ve experienced to create a world of my own.

I use many media and enjoy working on various projects at once. I paint with acrylics, gouache, watercolor; draw with pencil, pen, marker; print with silkscreen, stencils, hand-blocks, and often incorporate fabric, beading, and embroidery into my paintings. There is something about textiles that continually fascinates me. Once I learned how to weave on a handloom I was immediately hooked. My obsession with color, print, pattern and doodling can be seen in my layered paintings, intricate weavings, and innovative textile designs.

Bio

Sheena Sood was born in Minnesota and received a BA in Visual Art and Comparative Literature from Brown University in 2006. Her artwork has been exhibited in New York, Philadelphia, and Providence. She has studied textile design at Central Saint Martins College in London and at The Rhode Island School of Design. Sheena currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Education

2008-2009 Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY, Advanced Photoshop and
            Illustrator for Textiles, and Advanced Silkscreen Printing courses
2002-2006 Brown University, Providence, RI, B.A. in Visual Art (Honors),
           B.A. in Comparative Literature with Translation (Honors)
2003-2006 Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI, Courses in Painting, Textile Design,
            and Jewelry and Metalsmithing
2005 Split Rock Arts Program, Minneapolis, MN, Mixed-media painting course
           Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design, London, UK, Textile Design Study Abroad program
2001 Rotary Student Exchange program in Junín, Bs.As., Argentina University of Minnesota,
           courses taken in creative writing and Spanish language

Solo Exhibitions

2006 Kichdi, List Art Center, Providence, RI
2005 Magenta Martini: Paintings, Prints, and Textiles, List Art Center, Providence, RI

Group Exhibitions

2008 Rods and Cones: Seeing from the Back of One’s Head, SAWCC 11th Annual Visual Arts Show,
           Abrons Art Center, Henry Street Settlement, New York, NY The Grand Small Works Show,
           F.U.E.L. Collection, Philadelphia, PA The Square Foot Show, Art Gotham Gallery, New York, NY
           Global Fusion Art, Spark Art Center, New York, NY SAWCC Art Auction Benefit, Tamarind Art Gallery,
           New York, NY
2006 The Big One: Annual Juried Show, Hillel Gallery, Providence, RI
           Senior Exhibition, List Art Center, Providence, RI
           From Zeroes to Heroes, Sarah Doyle Women's Center, Providence, RI
           India: a 2-artist Photography Show, List Art Center, Providence, RI I
           Ran Over My Tube of Flake White (Fetus with Brush in Hand), List Art Center, Providence, RI
2004 Juried Brown University Student Show, List Art Center, Providence, RI
2000 Staff Show, Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN

Awards/Honors/Presentations

2009 Sweetriot design competition winner, artwork used on packaging for chocolates
2008 SAWCC Visual Arts Panel Presentation, Abrons Art Center, NY
2006 Roberta Joslin Award for Excellence in Art
2005-2006 Selected for Brown University Visual Art Honors Program
2005 The Royce Fellowship, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Providence, RI
          The Flex Flyer Art Award, Sole recipient of grant for proposed fashion show
2002 The Wellesley Book Award National Merit Scholarship
1998 Winner of Northwest Airlines Drawing Competition

Publications

2009 Sepia Mutiny, designed banners for desi blog
2007 Sixty-Eight Degrees, Photography Journal based in Providence, RI
2005-2006 Clerestory Journal of Art, Artwork featured in Fall 05 and Spring 06 editions
          Visions Magazine, Artwork featured on cover and inside journal
2003-2006 The College Hill Independent, Illustrations and Cover Art in multiple issues

Selected Work Experience

2008 The New York Magazine, Fashion Intern/Editorial Assistant
2006-2008 Vintage Textile Document Studio, New York, NY, Design Associate
2007-2008 Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art, Freelance Writer
2007 Puntoseta Fabric Workshop, Como, Italy, Visiting Artist
2006 Gallery Co., Minneapolis, MN, Intern
2004 Zac Posen, New York, NY, Fabric and Trims Assistant
2002-2004 New Urban Arts, Providence, RI, Artist-Mentor to high school students
2000 Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN, Volunteer