Artist Statement

As a conceptual artist, Sean Desiree’s work takes on many forms. Their interests include social engagement and disruptive interventions that counter biased societal structures. The subject matter spans topics such as climate change and homoeroticism in sports to white supremacy/delusion.

Desiree’s practice functions to curate and shift discomfort in all forms to make space for more dialogue and behavioral changes. The work materializes in multiple ways, including public art, interactive installations, and sculptures with video and sound elements. Desiree is interested in contributing to systems and structures of care. Applying “conducive architecture,” a term they have claimed to give language to functional forms that heal rather than harm, Desiree is directly responding to the hostile architecture. Hostile architecture, including spikes on ledges or window sills, is used in most cities as an exclusionary design tactic to prevent poor people of color from loitering or resting. Desiree’s work is an offering of support to meet our basic needs as a society.

Biography

Sean Desiree (they/them) is a self-taught artist and furniture maker, born and raised in The Bronx. They use wood from found pallets, demolished buildings, and discarded scraps to create works informed by the language of geometry and guided by their commitment to highlight stories of resistance. As a black, queer, nonbinary person, they need to be self-reliant and have the skills to create shelters/homes and share that knowledge with their community.