Sonya Clark: Hair Stories

In the Art Center Gallery through the end of the month is an installation by artist Sonya Clark.  Art Across the Academy, a part of GA's Innovation and Special Programs department sponsored this all school artist residency event that culminated in an interactive exhibition that featured stories from students and faculty.  The artist writes of her process,

"Almost two decades ago, in a review of my work, Bill
Gaskins wrote, “Hairdressing is a primordial fiber art.” I
began The Hair Craft Project with his words in mind. So, I
left the studio and went to the source, the Hairdressers
themselves. Hairdressers are my heroes. The poetry and politics of
Black hair care specialists are central to my work as an
artist and educator. Rooted in rich legacy, their hands
embody an ability to map a head with a comb and manipulate
the fiber we grow into complex form. These artists have
mastered a craft impossible for me to take for granted.
The Hair Craft Project highlights a sampling of
Richmond’s immense talent. I began with the closest salon
to my home and worked my way by word of mouth to the
other stylists. The eleven hairdressers were each supplied
with my full head of hair and a canvas hand stitched with
silk thread. Their challenge was to demonstrate their
expertise in a familiar medium, hair, and, translate it into a
less familiar one, thread on canvas. For the yearlong
project, I became a walking art gallery donning glorious
hairstyles. The photographs on Display, document the
temporary hairstyles created specifically for the project.
As to the premise that these that these talented
hairdressers are also talented fiber artists: that is made
evident in the work."