When artist Denequa "Cashay" Johnson walks across the stage to receive her bachelor of fine arts degree, she'll cap off her Georgia State journey with creative clarity, awards and accolades, and a boost of confidence for her next chapter in the arts. The textile student from the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design was recently awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine and is the recipient of the Marion B. Davis Award for Textiles. Plus, she's a nominee for the national award of Surface Design Association's Outstanding Student Award.
Pursuing the arts was always part of Cashay's game plan. Born and raised in a small town in South Carolina, she was the artsy child who always loved to create things. In high school, she was introduced to fashion design and learned to sew, crochet and knit.
A transfer student, Cashay was drawn to Georgia State's textiles program for its rigorous studio practice and vibrant Atlanta location, fertile with creative energy and opportunity.
Why textile?
Cashay favors textiles for their tactility and for being a part of her day-to-day life. According to the artist, not many people realize its importance in the art world and throughout art history. It's a medium that has challenged the definition of "art" itself.
“My mentors, Professor Jess Jones, the head of the textiles program, and Nicole Benner, are these amazing women who have taught me a number of things and pushed me to figure out what my work is about,” said Cashay. “They have also inspired me with their own textile art practices.”
For example, her rope pieces use a coiling technique of wrapping a smaller linear material around another larger linear material, resulting in a dimensional form. Additionally, her quilts require a meticulous hand-tying method to secure the layers together rather than a conventional sewing machine.
According to Cashay, both techniques require emotional decisions about colors and textures. The long and repetitive process is a form of meditation that she's committed to. It expresses time and teaches her patience, endurance and intense focus. It also provides strength and perspective on other complex aspects of her life. These are the same emotions that Cashay hopes viewers will capture when looking at her work.
After graduation, Cashay plans to take a year off to continue her art practice and build her portfolio before applying for an M.F.A. degree program. Right now, she's most excited about summer in Maine for the weaving workshop at the Haystack, a school steeped in textile history, beautiful architecture and textile artists alike.