Meet Tenee’ Hart | Fiber Sculpture + Installation Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tenee’ Hart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tenee’, what are you inspired by?
Historically, Sheila Hicks, Claire Zeisler, and Eva Hesse have always been a source of inspiration and my art icons. Each of these women pushed the boundaries of their mediums, through their perseverance they instilled a sense of nonconformity within my practice, informing every fiber/material I use in my work. I think that inspiration is tucked in the unnoticed, layered sometimes in the obvious, and that it takes an attentive eye to discover it. Through their art practices, this is what Do Ho Suh, Tara Donovan, and Maria Nepomuceno taught me and continues to teach me till this day. More on a personal level, I am deeply influenced by the women who raised and guided me throughout my life. Inherited objects from them can be seen throughout many of my works. Most items manipulated beyond recognition within the piece’s bodily forms, but some still hold remnants of their original form and faint memories of their past lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
TENEE’ HART // b. 1988

Who am I?
I am an ‘unconventional’ fiber sculpture artist pursuing themes of feminism that delve into topics of beauty, anatomy, and women’s inequality. I embed personal narratives through material context and nostalgic visual languages. Subverting the spectacle of decoration I push the seductively beautiful towards the overwhelming artificial. Combining, recontextualizing, and reconfiguring disparate materials is my way of reconciling my role as a woman and challenging the societal expectations ingrained in us all.

Influenced by the artistic traditions such as craft, labor, and the act of making, I embrace these practices that are considered ‘the domestic’ or ‘women’s work’ as a form of empowerment and resistance to this perception. There is evident interest in domestic materials, material culture, and what these tactile objects are capable of symbolizing. When considering their inherent properties and limitations, I liberate these domestic materials from their intended use in favor of their aesthetic capacities. Through delicate and sometimes aggressive material manipulation, I aim to challenge the traditional connotation of such ‘everyday’ materials.

What is your art process?
Within my process of making, I can see how it is similar to most craft based processes such as knitting, weaving, and sewing – meaning that it is process-based. I embrace these practices that are considered ‘the domestic’ or ‘women’s work’ as a form of empowerment and resistance to this long-held perception. When I’m in the studio, I make a number of small material studies, which will eventually turn into more realized forms. Surrounding myself with these tangible experimentations helps me better respond to the unrealized symbolic implications that such inquiries may offer. Research plays a key role in my beginning stages as well throughout the creation of the work. Many of my material explorations are triggered by potential symbolic connections to my research topic.

The overall objective in my practice is to explore new concepts, to push the boundaries of fiber art, to investigate a variety of materials and techniques, to question the whys of the world – the unknown, and to think and do, do and think, until there is some kind of breakthrough.

Tips? Tricks? Advice?
I would tell any beginning artist to question/consider what their artistic voice is contributing to the world. How is it unique? How does it evoke you? Also, know that there is no secret formula out there to succeed as an artist. I mean, I wish there was – but there just isn’t. The trick is to stay engaged – engaged in your community, your network, open calls, etc. Opportunities are not going to come to you – this is something that many take for granted (including myself). You have to be actively seeking these things in order to obtain them. Push yourself in all aspects of your practice!

Also, make sure you go see art! I know this sounds obvious, but it really isn’t. Get out of your comfort zone – take a trip – go to the nearest gallery or museum. If you can’t leave, then just tune into online artist talks/goal casts/TED talks – your options are limitless on the web. The key is to immerse yourself in the things that inspire and motivate you!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here is a list of some of my favorite spots in Tally:

Lake Ella | 1433 N Adams St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
A cute little lake with tons of ducks and geese – so all of the feathered friends! There are a few shops around the area but I hope that you are able to stop into Black Dog Cafe for a yummy beverage – I recommend the Pumpkinhead Latte (spicy mocha based coffee).

Cascades Park | 1001 S Gadsden St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
A wonderful paved walking area w/ fountains, restaurants, amphitheater, etc. – definitely worth checking out! Stunning at night with the dancing fountain lights!

Lafayette Heritage Trail Park | 4900 Heritage Park Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32311
Gorgeous water views on this trail – highly-highly-highly recommend!

Tom Brown Park | 443-557 Easterwood Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32311
Amazing walking trails here – if you walk far enough you can see abandoned rusty old cars deep in the woods. It is super odd but actually cool to think about how they even got there!

Dorothy B. Oven Park | 3205 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308
You can feed box shell turtles here – in the garden area – so if you have extra produce in your fridge (turtle friendly of course) they would love that!​

Maclay Gardens | 3540 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32309
This is a paid entry park but if you go near closing time like 5:30pm the guard should be off duty and you can get in free. Otherwise it is about a $6 entry fee – but worth it for the stunning views of Tallahassee!​

Wakulla Springs
**Not necessarily in town but a short 20ish minute drive away**
Wakulla Springs, one of the world’s largest and deepest first-order freshwater springs and an exit point of the Floridan Aquifer. This 6,000 acre wildlife sanctuary, located south of Tallahassee, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and designated a National Natural Landmark.

Alsoooooooo if you are a foodie like me – then you will absolutely want to try some of these local favorites:

Gordos | 1907 W Pensacola St, Tallahassee, FL 32304
Affordable and extremely yummy Cuban food – on the weekend there are usually live band events! I highly recommend their bean & cheese empanadas, boiled yuca, and of course their fries w/ oodles of gordo sauce!!!

Pho Me | 2320 Apalachee Pkwy, Tallahassee, FL 32301
This hidden gem is by far the best pho in town and has super quick to-go service! I recommend the build-your-own pho w/ the spicy broth. Oh and make sure to order some spring rolls as well – the sauce is… **chef’s kiss**

Bubbly | 2020 W Pensacola St Ste 240, Tallahassee, FL 32304
Hands down the best bubble/boba tea in town!

Osaka | 1489 Maclay Commerce Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312
My absolute favorite sushi restaurant – some say that it is tied with Masa as the best – but I disagree. If you are a spice lover, I would recommend the D.O.M. (Dirtly Old Man) roll as it is my favorite sushi roll of all time!

El Viroleño | 2910 Kerry Forest Pkwy # B1, Tallahassee, FL 32309
Another hidden gem of Tallahassee, this salvadorean restaurant is just too yummy not to try. My go-to order is queso pupusas with piles of fermented curtido (cabbage slaw).

Dog Et Al | 1456 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
This is a local favorite! This itty bitty mom & pop diner feels like a time capsule – a must if you are a hot dog &/or burger fan!!!

Momo’s Pizza | 1416 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL 32304
Another local favorite – their pizza slices are known for being large – like size of your head large! Great place for ordering by the slice and to-go!

Sweet Pea Cafe | 1456 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
If you are a vegan, then look no farther than Sweet Pea Cafe! They change their menu quite often so there is always something new to try!

The Bark | 507 All Saints St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Another popular vegan food joint – besides their yummy alternative cuisine they have a thriving night scene as a bar w/ hosted events (live bands, dance nights, performances, etc).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this Shoutout to Carole Garmon. She taught me that there is so much more to this idea of ‘art’. She completely changed my way of thinking and making – her encouragement throughout my undergraduate degree pushed me to pursue a career in the arts.

Website: http://www.teneehart.com

Instagram: @teneehart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tenee.hart