Shannon Bono
Whose work are you loving these days?
One of my favourite artists Erykah Badu celebrated the 20th anniversary of her second studio album Mama’s Gun. I love the entire project (she has never made a bad song) but my standouts are Cleva, A.D. 2000 and Orange Moon, her music consistently includes the concept of self-acceptance despite internal and external opinions. The anniversary reminded me of a poem she wrote which can be found inside the physical album cover called ‘The Warriors Reminder’ ...
I am awake
My mind is free
I am creative
I love myself
My willpower is strong
I am brave
I practice patience
I don't judge folks
I give, not just to receive
I don't expect
I accept
I listen more than I talk
I know I'll change
I know you'll change
I'll hold on one more day
I start over when necessary
I create my own situations
I am cosmic
I do not have the answers
I desire to learn
I am the plan
I am strong
I am weak
I want to grow
I know I will
I take on responsibility
I hide myself from no one
I'm on my path
Warriors walk alone
I won't let my focus change
Taking out the demons in my range
What book is on your nightstand?
I have started reading Maya Angelou’s autobiographies in order and I currently on the third one Singin’ & Swingin’ & Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas. Angelou’s writing is engulfing and mesmerizing, she makes the idea of being a black woman sound so magical throughout deviation and celebration.
Your practice in 5 #
#Afrofemcentrism
#Africanspirituality
#Artandscience
#Theoppositionalgaze
#Blackfemalebodies
What’s on your mind?
Currently I am trying to find balance between my art practice and teaching practice. Both are very time consuming to plan and produce, I have been speaking to other artists/academics to get advice, however when I get too overwhelmed most times I just end up doing nothing...I need to stop that.
How does the body - yours and others' - influence your work?
I view the female body as a powerful signifier to draw in the spectator and engage in dialogue. The female body has many functions, especially in African culture for example women protesting in nudity, scarification on the body which identifies ethnic groups and hierarchy etc. As I depict black female bodies in my work, mostly my own, I try to move away from the negative colonial visual history and use the body for activism and reclaiming power.
Shannon lives and works in London, UK.
December 2020
