OPAL

Shanelle Harrison is a contemporary narrative artist and wreathmaker renowned for her innovative Print-Craft fusion techniques and evocative wreath-making. With a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating oral history, Harrison’s artistic practice is rooted in the belief that storytelling is vital to keeping our ancestors’ spirits alive. In her work, she ritualizes the acts of collecting, preserving, and commemorating stories, reflecting a profound exploration of personal loss and collective memory. Harrison’s art is a journey through the fragments of her past, capturing the essence of her grief and transformation. Each piece she creates is a testament to her experiences and emotions, crafted to safeguard the remnants of her history against a broader culture of erasure. Her practice is an act of both mourning and commemoration, with a particular focus on the healing potential of public grief and shared remembrance. Recently, Shanelle received a Fulbright Research Award for her project titled "Black Power in the Pacific: The Intersectionality of Oppressed 'Black' Cultures and Liberation through Commemoration and Storytelling," She is a 2021 Independent Artist Awardee from the Maryland State Arts Council. Recently, Shanelle exhibited work for her solo show “Feeling Out Loud” Chroma Contemporary Arts Center in Detroit, Michigan, The Cumberland Valley Artists’ juried exhibition at The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland, The Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit, MI and The American Hungarian Foundation in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In 2019, Shanelle earned her B.A. from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD and in 2024 earned her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

ARTIST STATEMENT
In my culture, oral history is imperative. The art of storytelling keeps our ancestors alive and with us. Our stories document our journey both individually and collectively and are passed down through the generations. I ritualize acts of collecting, preserving, and commemorating stories in my art practice. My artistic journey is a deeply introspective exploration of mourning the fragments of my past, each piece a poignant reflection of the losses I've endured. I mourn not just the disappearance of my former self, but also the dissolution of intimate connections and the erosion of my own happiness and sense of security. Through my practice, I endeavor to safeguard these shattered remnants of my past, fearful of their potential obliteration within a broader culture of erasure. Each work becomes a testament to the pieces of myself, preserving them within the canvas of memory.
Yet, amidst this lamentation, I find solace in the healing power of mourning, viewing it as a profound act of commemoration. Intrigued by the notion of public mourning, I delve into the collective experience of grief, seeking to understand its transformative potential within shared spaces of remembrance and reflection. By preserving fragments of my memories, I am choosing not to let go. I manifest these fragments through sculptures, prints, installations, and wreaths. The wreath form draws inspiration from the ornamentation of my childhood. My first encounter with wreaths began with my mother adorning our door with seasonal wreaths. Used for holidays, in craft and funeral rituals, wreaths manifest the greater collective memory. I carry the significance of this object with me, embedding the fragments of my home. My wreaths function as an outward expression of grief. I explore themes of memory, psychology, race, identity, spirituality, eternal life, and romance.

Growing up with a florist mother, I am inspired to experiment with materials used to make floral presentations. I focus on the functionality of beads as commemoration, ornamentation, and utility in modern day rituals. Commemoration specifically for displaced, missing, deceased, living people. I incorporate the tools of printmaking in my process by drawing with inks, carving, and creating matrixes from nontraditional materials. My approach to artmaking considers what it means to take up space and leave a “mark.”