Description
ARTIST STATEMENT
I began my artistic journey shortly after turning fifty, in the midst of the pandemic. The convergence of middle age, an empty nest, and a global health crisis awakened the artist within me, long incubating beneath the surface.
For three decades, my work as a Sociologist centered on race, class, and gender, grounded in empirical research. Art opened a new portal—one that allows me to translate my lifelong commitment to social justice into visual form. The fusion of social science and creative practice offers a space to reflect on both the woman I am and the woman I am becoming.
My medium is fabric: remnants layered together to illuminate the complexity of social dynamics. Raw edges and discarded materials are intentionally preserved, reminding us of the power to construct beauty from what is overlooked. My sincerest hope, as a self-taught artist in my fifties, is that my work and my path to art empowers others to acknowledge and pursue the desires placed inside their heart.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Kasandra Pantoja is self-taught fabric collage artist who began her art journey during the pandemic. With a deep-rooted passion for exploring societal dynamics and narratives, she spent 30 years working in education as a sociologist and non-profit executive. Transitioning seamlessly from academia to the realm of art, Kasandra’s work boldly confronts perceptions of identity, representation, and empowerment. Drawing upon her sociological background, she uses fabric collage to challenge societal norms and invites viewers to engage in critical conversations surrounding race, gender and culture. She has been featured in both locally and nationally juried exhibits and placed in multiple nationally juried exhibits.
Beyond her social justice and artistic endeavors, Kasandra Pantoja is a devoted mother to her four sons, affectionately referred to as her “Eight Eyes”, infusing her life experiences and maternal wisdom into her creative expression.
© Kasandra Pantoja