EXPO Chicago 2025 - Volume Gallery Booth 237, Install photo
WOVEN NARRATIVES: IT’S KHARNAVAL
CHICAGO-Volume Gallery is participating in the 2025 edition of EXPO CHICAGO with a solo presentation of handwoven weavings by Chicago-based artist SHENEQUA. SHENEQUA’s work is a material celebration of her Afro-Caribbean identity. Born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, raised in Miami, Florida and having studied with master weaver Sebastian Dayi in Ghana, West Africa, SHENEQUA deftly weaves together meaningful materials to honor the resilience, beauty, and creativity of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. Throughout her practice, she incorporates plaits of synthetic hair and sculptural bobby pins to honor the Black hair salon as a center of community, intimacy, and friendship. Her intricate textiles push the boundaries of form with shifts in scale, organic edges, and improvisational moments.
Recent work in vivid colors is inspired by the exuberant Sugar Mas carnival celebrations of Saint Kitts and Nevis, of which her family are longtime participants. Carnivals arose in the Caribbean as independence celebrations, and now the weeks-long festivities feature elaborately costumed dancers, soca music, food, and pageantry. SHENEQUA weaves vibrantly colored fabric with braids of synthetic hair, jewel-like embellishments, strips of Caribbean batik fabric, and iridescent elements, all intertwined to create rich, layered textures that echo African and Caribbean cultural heritage in a striking, tactile display of communal joy. - Excerpt from Volume Gallery press release.
Volume Gallery at EXPO Chicago April 24-27, 2025 (Booth 237)
Navy Pier in Chicago, IL
Caribelle Garden Batik, 2025, 32” L X 18” W inches; woven synthetic-hair, cotton, batik fabric, and spandex.
Photo: Volume Gallery
SOLD
Gha Mas Na 2019, 27.5” (W) X 40” (L), Synthetic-hair, cotton, hitarget (GH) fabric, rayon, wool, & linen.
Bobby-pin Fabricator: Dollyfox Metal Works
Photo: Volume Gallery
AVAILABLE for purchase via Contact
Luxe The Pinks, 2025, 31” L X 17” W inches; woven synthetic-hair, cotton, batik fabric, and pony beads.
Photo: Volume Gallery
Bronze Wumaan 2019, 27.5” (W) X 47” (L), Synthetic-hair, cotton, hitarget (GH) fabric, rayon, wool, linen, & wooden beads.
Bobby-pin Fabricator: Dollyfox Metal Works
Photo: Volume Gallery
AVAILABLE for purchase via Contact
Tropical Odyssey, 2025, 26.5” L X 18.5” W inches; woven synthetic-hair, cotton, feathers, and rhinestones.
Photo: Volume Gallery
Museum of Fine Arts Houston Collection
Island Breeze 2019, 27.5” (W) X 52” (L), Synthetic-hair, cotton, hitarget (GH) fabric, rayon, wool, & linen.
Bobby-pin Fabricator: Dollyfox Metal Works
Photo: Volume Gallery
AVAILABLE for purchase via Contact
Tropical Sun, 2025, 19” L X 18” W inches; woven synthetic-hair, cotton, feathers, pony beads, rubber bands, batik fabric, and spandex.
Photo: Volume Gallery
It’s Kharnaval 2019, 51” (W) X 101” (L), Synthetic-hair, cotton, hitarget (GH) fabric, rayon, wool, linen, polyester, hair accessories, metal, & spray paint.
Bobby-pin Fabricator: Dollyfox Metal Works
Photo: Volume Gallery
NFS
Luxe The Blues, 2025, 32” L X 18” W inches; woven synthetic-hair, cotton, batik fabric, rhinestones, and crystal beads.
Photo: Volume Gallery
Moments shared at Volume Gallery EXPO Chicago - Booth 237. Thank you to everyone who showed up and your continuous support.
