2024 Issue 1 Jan/Feb Focus - Mid-South Magazine

Brittney Boyd Bullock, Gloria. Yarn, fiber,
cording, thread, sequins, 38" x 38". 2023
Interior of Sheet Cake gallery, courtesy of Chris Reeder Young, M.A.
More images available at sheetcakegallery.com/pages/
artists, courtesy Sheet Cake Art Gallery
The focus of the gallery
is on artists based in and
connected to the regional
South, intentionally
celebrating women, queer
artists, and artists of color.
There is a big range in
terms of subject matter,
approach, and aesthetics
that feels really energizing
to me. Everybody is
bringing something special
to the table. I think this
first show, Welcome In,
really highlights that and
hopefully makes people
feel excited for what’s
to come. About half of
these artists are based in
Memphis and the other half
are coming from Atlanta,
Knoxville, New York,
Houston and Greenville. I
very much want to support
the work being made here
and introduce artists in
other cities to Memphis.
Who inspires you?
In no particular order:
Dolly Parton, Daryl
Hannah's character from
Steel Magnolias (before
she finds Jesus), Louise
Bourgeois' “Sunday
Salons,” Derek Fordjour, my
grandma, my baby girl, and
the artists in Welcome In.
What do you hope Sheet
Cake does for Memphis?
I hope that Sheet Cake
feeds the arts ecosystem
in an important way by
providing space for artists
to show work, for Memphis
to encounter new art
and ideas, and for folks
outside of Memphis to see
that there are incredible
things coming from this
place. Baked into Sheet
Cake is a loving demand
for your attention and
acknowledgement that the
South and Memphis are
more than what you think
they are.
In a city where difficult
pieces of news run across
our phones, how can
Sheet Cake be a reprieve
for us?
Memphis is many, many
things, and the local and
national news coverage
of crime here isn't it. I
think Sheet Cake is an
opportunity to celebrate
what makes this place and
our region special and fills
our cups up when other
things drain them.
Why is art important?
Art is everything! It's how
we will be remembered!
It feeds us, makes us ask
questions, reflects our
very different experiences
moving through the world,
keeps things interesting
and weird, and inspires all
the emotions.
Who would you like
to thank as part of the
creation of this gallery
vision?
There are so many
people to thank that I
feel like it could be this
entire article; but, I want
to specifically thank my
incredible family and
friends who have held me
together and stepped in to
tend bar, get ice, babysit,
and everything in between.
Of course, I want to show
gratitude for the artists
in this first show—none of
this would be real if they
didn't do what they do.
I'm getting teary-eyed
thinking about all of these
loving folks.
Jan+Feb 2024 | focuslgbt.com | Creativity 15