As a queer Black multi-disciplinary artist from Seattle, this individual embodies a profound synthesis of technology and tactile artistry. Through an innovative use of geospatial data derived from significant events, integrated with high-resolution satellite imagery and the abstract elements of polygons, the work transcends conventional art forms. Each piece is a commentary on the spatial narratives that shape our sociopolitical landscape, highlighting the often-overlooked impacts on marginalized communities.
Sherie not only visualizes data but interrogates its origins and implications. The transformation of cold data into vibrant, black objects serves as a powerful statement against the invisibility imposed on marginalized groups. It questions the neutrality of data and emphasizes the subjectivity hidden within supposedly objective information.
Incorporating elements from advanced mapping technologies and satellite views, the artist brings a macroscopic perspective to localized events, linking individual experiences with global dynamics. This approach not only broadens the audience's understanding but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and political issues.
Moreover, the integration of forensic architecture methods enriches the narrative. By employing techniques that uncover and visualize acts of state and corporate violence, the work aligns with cutting-edge investigative practices. This not only enhances the authenticity and impact of the art but also positions it at the forefront of social and political discourse.
Sherie Weldon’s work serves as a space for reflection and dialogue, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of representation, surveillance, and identity. The physicality of the work, juxtaposed with the abstract precision of digital data, creates a dynamic interplay that challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of space, identity, and community.
In summary, art is not merely a form of expression—it is a form of resistance. It challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about data privacy, surveillance, and the digital divide, making a compelling case for the power of art to influence social change. Through her work, she offers a critical lens on the world, advocating for visibility, justice, and the reclamation of space.
Incorporating Paul Virilio's concepts of speed and the integral nature of accidents in modern society, the artist’s use of rapid, real-time data mimics the relentless pace of contemporary life where speed often results in the oversight of crucial details and the inevitable accidents of oversight and error. This artistic strategy reflects Virilio's idea that the acceleration of information flow inevitably leads to informational accidents—misinterpretations or oversights that can be as impactful as physical ones. By harnessing these dynamics, their work becomes a vibrant critique of the frenetic pace at which we consume and are expected to process information, urging a more deliberate and considered approach to how we interact with the digital and physical worlds.
Drawing from a punk perspective, her approach resonates with the raw, unapologetic energy of the punk movement, channeling dissatisfaction with societal norms into a confrontational and transformative art form. This resistance is not only against the structures of power that dictate visibility and data but also a broader critique of societal norms and expectations, embodying the punk ethos of rebellion and authenticity.
About
Seattle-born artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts SVA, Master of Fine Arts Pratt and Master’s in Art Education CCNY.
Projects
Three Bands
Three Bands is a rupture in the visual field, a disruption of space where the velocity of thought collides with material form. Our designs operate at the intersection of architecture, noise, and temporal fragmentation—each piece is a deconstruction of the visible, an artifact of speed and silence made tangible. We embrace the punk ethos, where dissent is articulated through fabric, where modular synths translate the ambient hum of the urban landscape into wearable symbols of rebellion.
In this age of acceleration and collapse, we are the anti-monument. Three Bands is a confrontation with the hidden geographies of the modern world, revealing the cartography of power and resistance through aesthetic form. We don’t just make garments; we create moments of visual disruption, forcing the observer to reckon with the unseen forces shaping our reality. We challenge the norms of fashion with the rigor of an architect and the instinct of a street poet, drawing from the unseen frequencies of our world to make the invisible visible.
Experiments