Core

Hi Summer, thank you for being part of Core. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

I’m a multi-media sculpture artist focusing on manifesting my experiences as a Black woman into my artwork. I grew up as a military kid which meant I traveled around a lot and met so many diverse people. I often describe this experience as a utopia. My existence wasn’t heavily policed and politicized until I came to the States.

That’s when I understood what it meant to be Black in America. As I move through my art journey, I am constantly trying to make sense of my existence and why Black women’s existence in general is bound by so many standards.

The texture in your work is really incredible and I feel like this is an important part of what you do. Can you talk about that and its significance?

I love the chaos that spray foam adds to my work. The uncontrollable nature of it makes for very unique and aesthetic pieces. While in undergrad, I was experimenting with this material and found that the black spray foam looks similar to afro hair texture. At the time, it not only mimicked the aesthetics of hair but the volatile feelings I had with my own hair. Since then, I’ve been interested in allowing my forms to be chaotic. In my ceramic pieces, I also mimicked the pulling and twisting I do when braiding my own hair.

Possibly expanding on the above question, what’s important to you as an artist? What do you want your work to express?

I believe it’s important to share the experiences we go through in life. As a Black woman, I’ve had to face so many different standards but hearing how other Black women have overcome hardships and are focusing on themselves has empowered me. Through sharing my experiences, I hope to empower others.

Do you have any upcoming shows or projects? Plans or goals for 2024? And can you share your social media/website info for people to follow and connect?

As of right now, I’m working on my end-of-residence show at 323 Clay. The exhibition will be up sometime in Spring/Summer 2024. In my studio, I’m dedicating more time to play as I think it’s important to make work that brings me joy.

Check out my website summerbrooks.art as well as my Instagram @summer_.jpeg for some exciting behind-the-scenes stuff.