Today we’d like to introduce you to Tey Saunders
Hi Tey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From elementary school all the way to now, I’ve always considered myself a creative person, but it wasn’t where I put all of my energy. My life was consumed by athletics for 20 years. It wasn’t until the global pandemic that I realized I wanted to focus my energy and heart space on creating as a form of healing and returning to myself. Through my collegiate studies in graphic design and exhibition development, I knew this was my calling. This year I had the opportunity to complete my very first art fellowship with Muse 360. The Young Artists Archival Fellowship 2024 cohort welcomed me with open arms and pushed me to redefine my artistic practice through archival material and personal ephemera. Afro Charities also set the tone by facilitating an ongoing conversation with our cohort about increasing accessibility and visibility in the archives. I am currently in an exciting groove of working with textiles and other materials that I wouldn’t normally use.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As it relates to creating, I’ve had to work through a lot of struggles, the main one being the prioritization of my voice. As a graphic designer by trade, I’ve had a lot of experience taking the back seat and simply producing what people want. During those moments I found myself taking on voices that were not my own and fabricating work that did not align with who I am as a person. In this season of life, I have learned about the importance of authenticity and trust you have to possess as a creative. I have learned that staying true to who I am when I step into rooms will allow me to connect and collaborate with people I am meant to share space with. The second challenge I am working through is trusting stillness. In today’s society, we are expected to always be working, to always have something occupying our minds, and to work towards goals that need to be achieved. To be expected to do that in the midst of chaos is not ideal or realistic. There’s also something to be said about access to social media platforms and how they can make you second-guess yourself. There’s a pressure that can weigh on you as a maker if you don’t have a picture to post as “proof” of you doing good things. Stillness is important. Moments of rest are important and necessary for everyone. The third challenge I’ve faced is the push for commodification of the arts. I think it can be a great thing if that aligns with you. For me, I have had people ask why I don’t sell my work. Making money off of something so personal to me isn’t the end goal. I really enjoy creating for the sake of it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As much as I would love to have a fancy title to describe what I do, I like to tell people that I make things. I really do! I also embarked on a new journey as an educator teaching graphic design and printing to high school students. At this age, it is imperative that I develop my pedagogy and incorporate intentional practices for my students that find a way to center care and creativity. From an art-making perspective, I am focusing my creative practice on many things. I’ve been deeply connected to archival imagery from my elders. I like to create collages using imagery I scan and process myself and I also enjoy creating graphics to honor the lives of those who came before me. As I pivot from working solely in a digital space I have begun working with and prioritizing textile work. Woven blankets and Quilts are being highlighted. There is such a rich history between textile work and the Black community. The idea of weaving together narratives and telling stories through something tangible makes my heart flutter. I recently joined the African American Quilters of Baltimore where I am seeking guidance and support from my community members as we navigate life and transmute messages into fabric. Another lane I am looking to explore within my creative practice is the use of single-channel video and soundscapes.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something most people may not know about me is something I touched on briefly during this interview. I was an athlete up until I was 20. Collegiate athletics— or just athletics in general took up all of my time. That was the only identity I was working with and looking back I realize that that was the only title people in my life would acknowledge at the time. It took a lot of work for me to detach from that version of myself and return to who I am today, an artist and educator who just wants to continue making things and forming genuine connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://readymag.website/u1759562294/4904690/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visionarytey/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaBz2gspahbwCC1XD6_Pf8w
