Andrew S. Jacobson (AJ): Shaunte, your work is heavily centered around sustainability and upcycling. Can you tell us about how you incorporate found objects and recyclable materials into your art?

Shaunte Gates (SG): Absolutely. My approach is to stay open to everything around me. It’s not so much about planning; it’s more about seeing what’s available, like pennies or wood boards from a house in Northwest DC. Other artists give me materials, like flooring, and I figure out what I can do with them. It’s about being open to everything and letting the process guide me.

AJ: So this method of using found objects wasn’t something you were taught, but rather something you’ve always done?

SG: Exactly. It’s not about following a specific method. It’s about going with the flow and figuring it out as I go. For example, I’ve been experimenting with pennies for years, trying to figure out what they wanted to be. It turned out they wanted to be wings or scales, and I just let the process take me where it needed to go.

AJ: Your work has a distinct texture that comes from using different objects. Do you see this as a natural evolution in your art, and do you plan to continue creating illusions of depth?

SG: Definitely. I’ve been thinking about adding more layers to my work for a while, but I had to wait until I was ready without compromising the integrity of the work. Now, I’m figuring it out and building out without sacrificing the work’s integrity. My work is a lot about theater, perception, and the illusion of power. I look at these pieces as if they’re stage sets, with layers and depth, like a movable set.

AJ: How do you feel your work intersects with other artists who engage in similar practices, like sculpture?

SG: Well, I’ve been thinking about stage curtains and how to build them into my work. I’m effectively using found objects to create pieces of a theater production on canvas. It’s all about building a set and creating a theater. For my upcoming Paris show, I’m working on building out a theater, using pieces like college plan cards to create a stage within my pieces.

AJ: When can we expect to see this Paris show?

SG: It’s going to be the last show, but we don’t have a hard date yet. It’s looking like it might be in October, but it’s not confirmed yet.

AJ: That sounds exciting. We’ll be looking forward to seeing how your theater comes to life on canvas. Thank you for sharing your insights into sustainability and upcycling in art, Shaunte.

SG: No doubt. Thanks for having me.

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