Meet Paula Henderson | Visual artist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paula Henderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paula, why did you pursue a creative career?
There was never any doubt that I would pursue a career as a visual artist. My mother was a fashion illustrator and my father an interior designer. Making with our hands was such a part of my early life from drawing, going to museums and galleries, taking classes, assisting my father on his client visits, sewing from his fabric samples, reading art history. My identity as an aspiring artist was from childhood and has never wavered. It is, I would say, essential to my sense of self and identity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work variously represents my interest in social unity through my exploration of current perceptions that contribute to social divisions. By probing systems of representation in both abstract and figurative paintings I make works that are crafted with attention to formal beauty, yet additionally, become opportunities for social reflection. In one direction my paintings address the objectified notions of beauty and power in commercial representations of women, in social media/ advertising with its influence in shaping the identity of, and about, women. Another series focuses on how the media represents race through the lens of professional sports. In both abstract and figurative works, I focus on the limiting view of race, masculinity, and individual potential. as presented by the media.

And in a very different series I makes patterns left on ground surfaces from our movement the basis of abstract compositions that connect the viewer to thoughts of shared social space, our collectivity, and human migrations. In this way, I revisit formalistic modern abstraction to resonate within a contemporary social context.

I try to never lose sight on the reality that I have the freedom to pursue my chosen path which reminds me to be grateful for the challenges and the achievements. I think most artists want the opportunity to have their work seen to know we are providing the opportunity to enrich the lives of viewers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take a best friend or sister to the High Museum and for a special lunch at Rumi’s Kitchen in Colony Square. i would take them to The Atlanta Contemporary with its great programming (and free parking).
For fun eats we would have to go to Bomb Biscuit followed by a walk on the Belt Line to walk those biscuits off.
The Botanical Gardens and Piedmont Park and The Aquarium are at the top of my list of special places.
Spelman and Morehouse college campuses and the historic Fourth Ward.
And a Walk along the Chattahoochee River would round out a week quite nicely.
If it was their birthday head to Fia at the Burgess on Piedmont!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where to begin!? There are, and have been, so many I dedicate my Shout Out to. I grew up in a creative family and my mother for sure was a major influence in my growing sense of myself as an artist. My husband has been and continues to be my ‘rock’. I was able to exhibit regularly throughout the years of raising a beautiful family who never questioned my need to develop my studio practice as a painter and who often served as subjects in my early drawings and paintings. Also working with students in neighborhood arts programs, pursuing a graduate program at the University of Chicago, and teaching college students were all key to forming my sense that it is about communities of encouragement and growth. Returning to Atlanta and experiencing the warmth of the South with community initiatives like Thrd Space where creatives come together and listen and share ideas for growth and leadership. And finally, a practice of prayer and meditation, especially what I have discovered in the Baha’i writings on art and life have inspired and centered my focus on social engagement and progress on our challenging issues of racial and gender equality.

Website: paulahendersonart.com

Instagram: #paulahenderson222

Image Credits
Tom Van Eynde