Stephanie J. Woods: where the sun shines

Image credits: Stephanie J. Woods, "my papa used to play checkers," 2022. Watermelon, hand dyed cotton fabric, hair beads, barrettes, and afro hair. Archival ink-jet print, 24.5 x 36.35 x 2 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

About This Exhibition

Organized by the Harvey B. Gantt Center

where the sun shines is an immersive dreamworld created by Stephanie J. Woods. The artist transports the viewer between nowhere and everywhere, like a liminal space enveloping the senses. In this world, the sun always shines, the walls whistle, and Venus and Serena Williams play a never-ending tennis match in the sky. Inspired by the yellow walls of her childhood bedroom and the message Woods wrote on her bedroom door, where the sun shines is a new body of work that contains photographs, sculptures, textile works, and an immersive floor and video installation.

During Woods' sojourn in Africa attending the prestigious Black Rock Senegal artist residency, founded by renowned artist Kehinde Wiley, she was mesmerized by the colors of the local fashion, and the board games played on the streets which reminded her of playing checkers with her papa. where the sun shines honors Woods' memories growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina. Memories of school lunches, acts of adultification, playground games, and fathers encouraging their baby girls to shine.

Accompanying the works on display is a sound collage by sample-based visual artist, Johannes Barfield, and a ceramic installation made in collaboration with ceramicist Chantel Bollinger.

This exhibition features a unique floor installation. Flat shoes are encouraged. Please watch your step and enjoy.
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Gallery Guide

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Works Featured In Stephanie J. Woods: where the sun shines

Take a look at some of the works featured in the exhibition where the sun shines.

Stephanie J. Woods, Shake EM I, 2022. Afro hair, hair beads, yarn, barrettes, and hand dyed cotton fabric. Archival ink-jet print, 24 x 36 x 2 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Stephanie J. Woods, my papa used to play checkers, 2022. Watermelon, hand dyed cotton fabric, hair beads, barrettes, and afro hair. Archival ink-jet print, 24.5 x 36.35 x 2 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Stephanie J. Woods, Baby Girl, 2023. Dad's handwriting, hand-dyed fabric, hair beads, synthetic hair weave, heat transfer vinyl, and hair jewelry, 46 x 43 x 2 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Stephanie J. Woods, watermelon sandcastle, 2022. Watermelon and beach sand from Galveston, Texas. Archival ink-jet print, 21.5 x 41 x 2 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

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