Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanequa Gay.
Shanequa, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I am Georgia born and Georgia bred. I attended the Art Institute of Atlanta, the Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta & Savannah campuses) and I am currently a graduate student at Georgia State University (sooo my super power is I am unafraid of books lol). I have been a working creative professional, in the fields of graphic design, visual merchandising, non-profit, illustration and the fine arts for about 12 years. I began my fine arts path on a dare from a good friend Felice Martin to “stop being a crafter, write a business plan, and to get serious about my gifting.”
And I am so grateful to her for the push, friends who dare you to live at your best are the best. Via a mentor who showed me the ropes along with some faith I set out on this journey called the creative life. I have exhibited my work in institutions and galleries, my work has been featured in film and television and collected by public and private institutions and I have illustrated for FLOTUS Michelle Obama (still one of my biggest bragging rights).
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Through a combination of consensual and forced realities, folklore, dream, tradition and the afterlife, my work explores the historical and contemporary social concerns of marginalized populations with a focus toward morality, society, identity, and human function. My work is highly invested in activism, challenging issues such as police brutality, the prison pipeline, and wealth disparities. I believe “representational justice” is a great way to describe my current path. I want to visually depict the repercussions of systemic racism, I do this by integrating hybrid imagery my intent is to collapse hierarchies and create empathy concerning the feeling of not belonging, otherness, along with a sense of power and mysticism.
I work in multiple dimensions varying from painting, performance, media, sculpture, and fabric motifs which I use to cultivate my own myths, survivor narratives, and new memories, by embodying the voice of the victimized. My work evaluates place, history, and subject matter and I want people to develop innovative imaginative dialogues and alternative strategies for how we see minority groups by uprooting social proscriptions and challenging political norms.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
I believe the conditions for creatives are way easier and so much harder than ever before LOL. I believe there are more ways than there have ever been for artists to get their work seen and their voices heard. I also believe the art market is saturated (like any other) but if you find your spot, your light, your tribe, and hold down your own square success in any creative field is more than possible. Atlanta is becoming a hub for the arts (and not just a Southern hub). I believe my city is working to provide more opportunities and funding for artists. I hope Atlanta will continue to look in its own backyard for emerging dope creatives. Institutions, media, and programs like the Atlanta Contemporary, the High, MOCA, Wonderroot, The Creatives Project, Burnaway and Papers are creating diverse programs, opportunities and getting the word out about the importance of the arts and artists here. We are thriving!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can support and purchase (hint hint) via shanequagay.com
You can follow and friend your favorite creative Atlanta peach on Instagram x twitter my profile handle >> @shanequagay
I am currently represented by Anne O. Art Gallery in Buckhead.
Contact Info:
- Email: shanequagay@gmail.com
- Instagram: @shanequagay
- Twitter: @shanequagay
- Other: shanequagay.com
Image Credit:
Shanequa Gay
Lisa Battle
Sumter County South Carolina Paper
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