Shana Sadeghi-Ray is a multi-disciplinary artist and graphic designer living in Brooklyn, NY.
With a desire to learn new crafts and mediums, her work constantly evolves while referencing her nostalgic visual language. Much of her design work is fabricated by hand, appreciating the analogue and utilizing her fine art background. We met Shana on the occasion of her collaboration with Peruffo Jewelry, which is expressed in an installation for the stand at Vicenzaoro (September ’24) and a small edition of artist’s jewels.
How do you think you can fully express yourself?
I think I would need to have done a lot of learning and research to have a depth of knowledge capable of accurately expressing my internal dialogue along with access to unlimited resources and completely blocking out public perception.
What is the material to you?
Material is the equivalent of an alphabet. It makes what is in my mind tangible.
Tell us about the project for Peruffo, how did it come about and how did it develop?
Marta (Martino, Peruffo Creative Director ed.) and I connected a few years ago over our love of jewellery. This year, the timing was right and we could execute this project together.
What is your relationship with jewellery – both in terms of creating it and wearing it -?
I think of jewellery as a means of expression, but I am also very interested in gems and minerals and the energy they emit. I enjoy making bracelets and necklaces with different combinations of semi-precious stones as an offering to anyone who might benefit from its wear energetically and spiritually. I love gold and jade. It is also fascinating to me that the earth created these items.
Is the collection part of your practice, why, and what do you collect?
Collecting is a vital part of my practice as it provides both material and ideological influence in my creation process. My collection influences my work, down to my subconscious, and I can combine elements from different areas to form something fresh. I collect everything – toys, books, stationary, crafting materials, digital imagery, shells, jewellery, the list goes on.
Puzzles, collages, how do you use them?
Most of my work, personal and commercial, I view as a puzzle to solve to completion. I collage different elements within my physical, digital and mental collection to form something new.
Tell us about your most successful project and your design style.
Success is subjective, but my solo show “Thread The Needle” is for me, my most fulfilling body of work. I was able to incorporate multiple ideas I’ve wanted to execute including creating a physically curated dollar store, displaying a series of photographs created with my friend Tatum Mangus of an imaginary plushie land world, and beading a new basketball net. All of the work is visually connected and represents a common theme of play.
What do you think about collaborations? Is there someone you would like to collaborate with?
I am weary of collaboration and have only done so with two people, both of whom are my best friends. I find it hard to let go of control creatively, but if we can enhance each other’s work, that is when it feels best.
Tell us about a contemporary artist and a designer you find important and why.
Truthfully I am not really up to date with what is going on as far as contemporary artists and designers. I get my inspiration and motivation from other sources. If an artist or designer is true to themselves, that is admirable.
A short-term project and a long-term one you would like to realise.
Currently, I am working on a show in Seoul next year where I want to bead larger-scale images. A long-term dream project of mine would be to display my entire collection in one space, lining the walls, for the public to view.
Shana Sadeghi-Ray is a multi-disciplinary artist and graphic designer living in Brooklyn, NY.
With a desire to learn new crafts and mediums, her work constantly evolves while referencing her nostalgic visual language. Much of her design work is fabricated by hand, appreciating the analog and utilizing her fine art background.
Through decades of collecting objects, materials, visual references and techniques, she approaches art making as a puzzle, finding the pieces that fit together. She loves to collage elements, giving them new life and appreciation.
She understands the value of play and that feeds into her creative practice. She believes that as an artist, it is most important to stay curious and have fun.
