ARTIST STATEMENT
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an embellished christening garment that critiques the corruption within institutional religion and reflects on the experience of being raised in that environment. The piece incorporates allegorical floral symbols to explore the expectations placed on women—particularly the values and responsibilities imposed upon them from birth. By using a baby christening dress as the foundation, the work suggests that a child’s path is prescribed from the moment of baptism. The use of embroidery and thread—mediums historically associated with women’s domestic labor—reinforces the gendered traditions that often go unquestioned. The work reflects a personal reckoning with identity, upbringing, and the emotional legacy of womanhood shaped by tradition.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Abigail Potter-James is a multidisciplinary artist currently in her third year of undergraduate study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where she currently holds the Presidential Scholarship and is apart of the Scholars Program. Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, her practice primarily explores the intersections of textiles and sculpture, with a growing interest in performance as a means of expanding narrative and material expression. Potter-James’ work engages deeply with themes of racial injustice, colorism, and femininity—concepts informed by her identity as a Caribbean woman. She investigates how meaning is embedded in materials and gestures, and how the act of making the art can carry cultural and political significance. In the summer of 2025, she interned with the Arts Intern Program at the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood. There, she supported the curatorial team on their exhibition Living in the Shade, contributing to the archival organization of photographs and creating infographic posters for public programming and special events. Her involvement strengthened her understanding of socially engaged arts institutions and the role of visual storytelling in community-focused work. Potter-James’ work has also been featured in ArtBash, SAIC’s annual undergraduate exhibition, where she presented her light-based sculpture piece, reflecting her continued interest in materiality, identity, and social critique.
© Abigail Potter-James