Isabella Clark
they/she
Kenosha, WI, USA
Isabella Clark is a black queer artist from Kenosha WI with a BFA degree from UW-Whitewater mentored under Teresa Faris. Their work consists of mixed materials, and fibers, combined with precious metals to create pieces that center around race, mental health, and intersectionality. Over the past few years, they have been featured at the Mineral Point Gallery, Silver Fern Gallery, Queerphoria vol.3 and three juried shows. In the spring of 2023, they received a grant and certificate of excellence for Undergraduate Research alongside their BFA exhibition ‘Topsy’. When they aren’t creating their time is spent chatting with family or walking their tortoise named Pumpkin.
“My work focuses on the ever-continuing lineage of deconstructing racist Black stereotypes and recontextualizing them to understand how these stereotypes enabled the ongoing abuse and slaughter of Black people in America. Stereotypes such as Mammy or Jezebel warp ideas of womanhood and sexuality more specifically asexuality. As a black asexual person, I am often unseen or regarded as an impossibility. My existence directly contradicts the harmful caricatures forced on Black feminine individuals. I create objects such as topsy-turvy dolls and fiber/metal jewelry worn on the body to challenge existing bias further while celebrating Black femininity.”
How does your work relate to the theme connection?
“My work centers around my intersectional identity, meaning that all aspects of my identity such as race, sexuality, ethnicity etc. weave together to create unique experiences. My work is about deconstructing black stereotypes by making historical connections and challenging myself as well as others on how we may contribute to prejudice and discrimination. I create objects sewn together such as topsy turvy dolls that represent our connection to our past while looking towards the future for growth and empowerment."
"Topsy Missue/Trulie", Mixed fibers, yarn, copper, fine silver; 17" x 20", 2023
NYCJW24 @ UrbanGlass, Francely Flores
“My work relates to the theme of connection because every step I take is about creating connections. Starting with my research I am constantly making historical connections from the past to the present. Understanding my heritage has so much depth and richness that I am inspired to find how everything relates to one another. As well as how it affects our day-to-day lives. As I sketch my ideas out I start to communicate my message on how I will create something that might bring more people together to better understand the society we live in. Fibers are such a huge part of my creation process and physically connect all of my ideas to make one or multiple pieces."
What role does connection play in your creative process?
"Pumpkin Evolution", Mixed fibers, brass, copper, 4" x 3.75", 2024 
What connection(s) does your queerness make to the world around you?
“Wisconsin can be a fairly conservative place where there are not many openly queer individuals so it takes a lot of courage to be unapologetically you. Growing up I wish there was representation for me to look up to but now I can be that person for others. Especially any Black queer individuals that may have a hard time coming out of their shell. Queerness to me is ever-evolving within ourselves and our connection with others.”
"Isabullas Banquet", Mixed fibers, copper, 4" x 3.5", 2023
NYCJW24 @ UrbanGlass, Francely Flores
[queerphoria]v4 @ ECU Symposium
