Irene Antonia Diane Reece
Irene Antonia Diane Reece, born and raised in Houston, Texas. Is deemed as a contemporary artist and visual activist.
Irene Antonia Diane Reece is one of ArtConnect’s Artists to Watch '22
Reece's practice is cathartic, it utilizes the senses of memory and her experiences to cultivate the body of work. She has expressed it is a form of therapy due to the topics at hand: a catch-and-release method. The subjects primarily deal with what is deemed familiar to the masses but the main focus-- her objective--is to center, celebrate and protect Black folx entirely within her work.
Reece’s photographic works, Black family archives, appropriated films, usage of text, and found objects create an insight into her world. The topics surrounding her work are racial identity, African diaspora, social injustice, family histories, re-memory, mental and community health. Reece’s objectives are to continue to take up space, be outspoken about the white-centric art world, and create forms of racial equity within her communities.
ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.
How would you describe your artistic style and what inspires your work?
My approach to creating work is first to do the work for myself. We often as artists tend to give into the pressures of creating work to appease the masses and art spaces alike versus for ourselves. I want to always feel proud and enjoy the work I do. I can't be whole as a person if I'm not making work that connects to me and is for me. It then trickles down into my work ethic and practice--which involves forever centering, celebrating, and protecting Black folx. Everything that is incorporated, everything that folx have consumed from my work is a direct link to my upbringing in my Black southern community. Nothing I have done is unfamiliar it is memories-- places, people, and spiritual. My childhood has completely "inspired" or rather will forever be embedded in my work.
How has your work evolved over time?
I had first celebrated the camera and was so willing to be a social documentary photographer--that changed very quickly. Due to traumatic years in undergrad and grad art schools. I started to question more about photography and why whiteness had a chokehold on my thriving as an artist. I took a step back from the camera to realize the position I have to even photograph others. As someone that was starting to be more conscious about my intent and actively making sure I was creating a safe space for my community; this methodology that was shoved down our throats for the past 5+ years. It was so violent for my art and community. I had to turn to things that I knew would bring me strength and comfort.
I had to turn to things that I knew would bring me strength and comfort.
I then embraced and cared for my Black family archives. I changed my practice due to a cry for help--I was creating work to protect myself from my personal experiences. Through the years there has been this journey or learning and unlearning within photography and image-making. I realized that I as an artist can not continue my career if I didn't put myself and my community first before institutions.
Bettina Hutschek
Curator
“Irene Reece poetically mixes images, found objects and texts into collages and large-scale installations. Both skillfully and playfully, she combines pictures from her Black family archive with appropriated images, contemporary photographs, graphics and text, in order to address issues such as racial identity or community. Her large installation “Homegoings” references the presence of the church (a cross, quotes mentioning God), while the central group picture could be a group or community picture of any other kind. What makes a community? What makes identity? In Reece’s work, these questions are addressed with a strong sense for storytelling, for retelling stories, for personal and collective memories and for the impetus to set things right.”
What message or emotion do you hope to convey through your art?
Art is subjective--it is left up to your own interpretation. My work isn't made for everyone, I don't expect anyone to completely understand it. Nor will I tell someone how to feel about it. I will express that the work is made for my community--my Black community. I want you always feel celebrated, protected, and loved. You should always feel safe to express yourself and that you belong in this space.
Can you talk about a specific piece or series that holds a special significance to you?
There is a specific piece called KIN. I made it in 2019 during graduate school in Paris. I had just learned that my aunt Yogie had passed away. This was around the time I started to work with my archives more and use objects I already had. I couldn't afford supplies so I would use the scrap papers that students would throw away and print on them.
I was an assistant lab technician for my school and this student messed up on a print that there was a large piece of blank photo paper. It was gonna go to waste. I ended up using it. I first printed this family portrait that included my father, Aunt Yogie, and grandparents. When I had printed that large photo a week prior to her death--I had no idea that I was going to make that piece about remembering my loved ones. I sat with the picture in my room for days. Previously in my work, I would cover the faces of people that are no longer here. Once I got the news of her passing and me not being able to go to her homegoing I wanted to use that photograph to express my feelings.
This gesture was an act of me being ready to let go. I had made that piece out of grieving. Flowers, lots of dried white chamomile flowers that I had laying around that were going to be for tea ended up being used in the creation of this piece. I first started with covering the photograph of my grand-daddy who died when I was nine of cancer. I never covered his eyes for I feel he is always with me. I then took my time and covered the face of my aunt. This series made me realize that my emotions or spirit towards the photograph can convey in my work. Once both faces were covered I felt warm and home again. And that has become my journey of continuing to have that feeling when creating future work.
What does this work aim to touch on?
My work will forever challenge my way of seeing photographs and archives. My work will forever center Blackness. My work will forever be apart of me.
‘Homegoings’ Installation View
What is your process for creating a new piece of art?
Again this drives us back to memories--anything that is connected to me or intersects my multiple identities start a "new" piece. All of my work can be displayed separate and together. There is a connection and commonality with each body of work. Whenever I make something "new" it is just a continuation or self-reflection of the old work. My work I feel is an entity that will continue to grow, change, and bloom continuously until I am no longer here to create.
Raul Rodriguez
Curator
“Irene Reece’s inherent methodology is by way of reverence for the Black community. Her deep dive into cultural archives allows for a reframing in the context of art, history and racial equity. By highlighting these stories through her multidisciplinary practice they become meditative, spiritual, and powerful in forms that bypass the visual barriers of photography and pushes the medium’s limits.”
How do you stay motivated and inspired in your artistic practice?
I make work for me. If I can't make anything I just don't. I'm not going to force or play into this capitalistic mindset where we have to constantly be working to be validated as these groundbreaking artists. I chose art which can be freeing but also one of the most controlled places to work in. I chose it as part of my life, not only as a form of labor. It can be laborsome but I have the control to stop myself from being consumed by this industry. If nothing comes through or the work gives me a sense of heaviness I just let it be. There have been years where I haven't made new work and I'm at peace with that.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists who are just starting out in their careers?
The biggest takeaway I learned from being in the art world is art institutions need you more than you think. Humility goes such a long way in this industry but know your worth as an artist. You need to believe in yourself and your art in order to make it in this industry. You belong in this space just like anyone else. Most importantly be gentle to yourself and rest. I can not stress that enough.
Anything else you would like to add?
Stay blessed for I am trying to heal and rest. With so much love. -Bean.
