Bio

Tiersha Faith Laird is an American multimedia artist whose diverse practice encompasses painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, interactive/electronic media, and curation. She earned her B.F.A. in Studio Arts with a minor in Art History from Loyola University New Orleans, where she honed her artistic vision and leadership skills.

During her time at Loyola, Tiersha served as President of the Visual Arts Club for two consecutive years, curating and organizing several notable exhibitions. These included The African Art Experience, which she co-curated with Ryan Nichols, as well as Clusterfunk, Loyola’s annual student exhibition, which she curated independently for two consecutive years. Each exhibition was made possible through fundraising events and art sales that Tiersha led, demonstrating her commitment to community engagement and the arts. In recognition of her leadership, Tiersha received the Mark Grote Endowed Award in Visual Arts and an honorary pink chord at graduation, a new tradition established in her honor.

Tiersha’s professional journey extends beyond her personal artistic practice. She has gained invaluable experience at respected institutions such as the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, where she deepened her knowledge of curatorial practices and public engagement.

During her artist residency at The Burren College of Art in Ireland, Tiersha had the opportunity to present her first solo exhibition, Sacred Forms, a milestone in her artistic career. This residency allowed her to further expand her creative practice, refine her technical skills, and engage with the international art community.

Currently, Tiersha is dedicated to teaching and nurturing creativity in others. She works as an art instructor at Coastal Makers Art Studio and as an afterschool art teacher at Light of the Village, a position she has held since 2016. In this role, Tiersha guides students through artistic exploration, helping them discover their voices and build confidence. Her belief in the transformative power of art is evident in the way she fosters personal and creative growth in her students.

Tiersha's commitment to art extends to her local community, where she has contributed to public art projects, such as a painted light box in downtown Mobile. As she prepares to further her expertise in exhibition making through a Master’s in Curating in London, Tiersha continues to connect art, community, and education to inspire others.

Artist Statement

    I explore the inherent strength, softness, and resilience of the human form, particularly through depictions of larger bodies that challenge narrow definitions of beauty. Through painting and sculpture, I dismantle restrictive ideals and celebrate forms that embody power in their fullness and fluidity. My work asserts that fatness and softness are powerful qualities worthy of reverence, representing a natural beauty often marginalized.

Rooted in ecofeminism, my work situates the body within the cyclical strength and fragility of the natural world. Botanical imagery and organic motifs connect the human form to nature’s rhythms of growth, transformation, and resilience. Ecofeminism, which recognizes the interconnectedness of the oppression of women and the exploitation of nature, informs my artistic choices. Just as ecosystems thrive in diversity, so should our perceptions of beauty and value. Through this lens, I challenge anthropocentric hierarchies and highlight the necessity of care, balance, and interdependence.

My sculptural work offers a counterpoint, using stainless stee to emphasize the coexistence of strength and softness. By transforming steel into flowing forms,  I illustrate that even unyielding elements embody grace.