VOLTA VOICES: SHANTELL MARTIN

Kamiar Maleki: Dear Shantell, tell us a bit about yourself and your work as an artist!

Shantell Martin: I’m a visual artist, originally from London where I studied art at Camberwell College of Arts and Central Saint Martins where I graduated with first-class honors,  I then moved to Japan where I started a career doing live visual illustrations in Japanese venues and mega-clubs. After 5 years I moved to New York where I became involved in many different areas of art, technology, education, and an advocate for artists' rights. You can take a look at my website for a more in-depth look at the work I've been fortunate to create.

KM: What has been your favorite public art project that you have done so far?

SM: Probably The May Room on Governors Island. 

KM: What would be a dream public art project you would like to do?

SM: I would love to design and create a massive playground. 

KM: You have collaborated with many over the past decade, tell us why you like collaborations so much and which one you enjoyed the most.

SM: Collaboration is a very important part of my practice. I think there is so much to explore in so many different areas, and when you collaborate you get the opportunity to learn from your collaborators, in mediums that might not generally be within your comfort zone. 

KM: Speaking of collaborations, how do you like to interact with art fairs? We have seen you participate with live activations many times in the past. What is something that you want to do with an art fair in the future?

SM: Firstly, I'm an independent artist, so I would love to work with art fairs to give independent artists the opportunity and platform to show in these spaces that aren't usually available to them (which could mean curating a show or an activation of fellow independent artists). 

KM: Your work and talent has, once again, been blatantly appropriated not only by that Argentinian wine company, but also now by institutions representing major pillars of the American technological landscape, like Microsoft. Could you tell us about this experience and your thoughts on how the pandemic has heightened the optical allyship of brands and their partnerships?

SM: Microsoft was trying to do something positive, without understanding how to properly execute their goals. This has to do with understanding how to work with artists by larger corporations, institutions, etc. The good intention is there, so I don't like to shut those conversations down. But I think this was a great opportunity to learn from a not so positive approach, and take the tools and the means that they have access to, to get it right in the future. This is an educational issue that the pandemic has heightened and has made more transparent.

With regards to the wine company, it's not actually appropriation, it's plain copyright infringement, which in my opinion is a result of this company's lack of respect for artists, our work, and simply, laziness. It's also an example of grand entitlement. Unfortunately, these things happen far too often. 

KM: How do you see these situations impacting your art and collaborations with larger companies as a whole?

SM: It opens doors to conversations, different experiences, different perspectives. Those connections can lead to positive projects, dialogues, guidelines, etc.

I look at every collaboration as an opportunity to push my work, share my work with a different demographic, and to create a product or installation that I wouldn't be able to do on my own, while at the same time learning from my collaborators and being a part of a experience that is positive for both parties. 

KM: Do you have any projects along the horizon that you’re looking forward to?

SM: My solo show at the New Britain Museum of American Art, New/Now opens Oct. 22nd. It's been a while in the making and was postponed due to the pandemic so I'm really proud to see it coming to life. 

I'm working on my own typeface, Shantell Sans, which has been a great experience learning about a craft that is so in-depth and really is a part of our day to day life.

I'm also working on choreographing my first ballet for the Boston Ballet which will be a whole new adventure!