Bayda Asbridge
Bayda Asbridge is a Syrian/ British artist residing in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. She is a multi-disciplinary artist, who could work in a wide range of mediums. Bayda got trained as an Asian Brush painter then moved on to teach that art form at Worcester Art Museum. She has vast knowledge in painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, printmaking, Japanese weaving (Saori), mixed media and sculpture. Her work has been recognized in several local galleries, including Worcester Art Museum, Fitchburg Art Museum, Attleboro Art Museum, Cambridge Art Association, Fountain Street Gallery, Davis Art Gallery & Whistler House Museum of Art, giving her a well-rounded knowledge of all stages of artistic production from conception through to presentation.
In 2010 Bayda was awarded the Frances Kinnicutt Travel & Study Award from Worcester Art Museum; and in January 2021, she was awarded Mass Cultural Traditional Arts Award in Arabic Calligraphy. Since 2010 Bayda has been placed in the top three in several art exhibitions. Bayda continues her ever-growing career as an artist and as a member of the Worcester art scene.
Q&A
What are your earliest memories of being artistic? Painting on the walls of my parents’ home large scale female figures. They didn’t mind.
When did art become a pursuit? It never stopped really. It’s is my ‘positive’ obsession.
Are you self-taught or formally educated in visual art? I have an equal amount of both. I didn’t go to an art school, so I don’t have BA or MA in art but I took a lot of classes here and there and I experimented a lot. So I learned by trial and error. The advantage I have is I am not boxed in one title or another.
How did you first become involved with CAA? I didn’t know about the association until a fellow friend mentioned you and advised me to join. I brought a friend with me and we joined. I’m delighted I did!
In what other ways are you involved in the local art community? I run an annual exhibit/forum called Healing Fibers which is a group exhibition for artists looking to express themselves on a platform that focuses on various social and environmental justice issues. The next exhibit will be on the 1st of June, keep an eye on the call to apply!
What role do you think the artist plays in society? Artists play a very important role in society because they carry a reflective mirror to show an authentic image of that society with its good and bad. They are the colors, the voices, the words that interpret what society is going through.
What medium do you currently work in and how did you choose this medium? Wood. I always loved wood but I wasn’t trained to use tools to make wood. With the help of my friend, Lynn Simmons who is a sculptor, I learned a lot from her in using tools safely and making this material mine. Many of my latest pieces are designed, cut, and tailored to my vision while using my traditional materials of weavings, decorative paper, fiber, natural materials, epoxy, and Golden acrylic products.
What is your creative process? Where are you finding ideas for your art these days? Nature is my main source of inspiration; work by other artists inspires me too; a poem or a song or a literary work can be an inspiration too (my last two pieces are inspired by a song and a poem).
How do you choose your subject matter? Is there a reoccurring theme that carries throughout your work? It’s the material that I use much more than the subject matter I think. I love natural materials: wood, seeds, fiber, dried plants, pods, raffia, sand, driftwood,.. and I have an affinity for Asian art for its simplicity and calming quality, something I like to carry into my art unless the theme of the piece is political.
In your opinion, what’s your best/favorite piece you’ve made? It’s A New Day. It is weaving that reminds me of Hokusai’s famous print: The Wave and the pieces of wood on each side represent the rising sun in the early morning and cranes flying above that blue ocean. it is well executed and it has a positive, optimistic message.
What is one of your artistic goals? I want to see my work acknowledged internationally.
What’s your favorite place to see art, and why? In the least expected places- a surprise! At the beginning of January 2022, I was in San Diego renting a car and outside the renting location, they had a wall full of red car rear lights hung on a wall like a shawl of fish… breathtaking!
What is one of your artistic goals? I would like to have my work acquired by museum collections
What living artists are you inspired by? Andy Goldsworthy, Anselm Kiefer, Ai Wei Wei, Kara Walker, El Anatsui, Nja Mahdaoui, Ahn Kyuchul, Cai Guo-Qiang, and Kader Attia.
Do you own any art by other artists? If so, what artists? Yes, Irina Parfenova, Patti Kelly, Charlotte Eckler, and Randolph Lesage.
Do you have any shows coming up? Yes! A Wor(l)d of Dichotomy Pop Up 20 Franklin St. Worcester, MA 01608 May 11-19. Reception: May 13th 5-8PM
See more from Bayda
Website: www.baydasart.com
Instagram: @baydasart
Facebook: Bayda Asbridge