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Prudential Center’s partnership with Artists for Humanity brings colorful, celebratory art to the Center through the holidays.

The team at Prudential Center is thrilled to introduce another group of talented up-and-coming artists whose work has inspired a little extra joy to visitors since kicking off the holiday season. Nyarah Carter-Leary and Tiesha Semedo are the next teens from whom we have commissioned art through our ongoing Artists For Humanity collaboration, which launched in May of this year. 

In addition to showcasing their work on the digital screens throughout the Center, December’s feature by Tiesha Semedo includes a special series created in celebration of Hanukkah, including the on-site piece, “Candy Candelabra.” Read on to learn more about the inspiration behind the series and how both artists approach their work.

Tiesha Semedo, December’s Featured Artist

For the month of December, we asked artist Tiesha Semedo to create a special series in celebration of Hanukkah. Her candle series includes two digital pieces, “Mystic Candle” and “Magic Candle,” as well as the on-site “Candy Candelabra,” located on the windows adjacent to the Concierge desk near Center Court. 

Teen printmaker Gigi Green was commissioned to print the installation. Her mastery of details and natural elements creates continuity between Tiesha’s art and the Center.

Although, at its core, a serious story about overcoming hardship in the face of oppression, Hanukkah is a celebratory time that embraces life’s miracles. The menorah symbolizes the miracle that occurred for the Jewish people in the Temple when the oil that should have only lasted one night lasted eight. Tiesha’s candle series demonstrates the magic and mysticism of the flame and represents the awe she feels in her creations. Her work captures the essence of Hanukkah and the joy and hope that we often feel during this time of year. 

 

“Magic Candle”

“Mystic Candle”

Tiesha’s Statement

“Mystic Candle”

This was one of the first large prints I’d made. Back then, all my prints started out as pastel drawings. I enjoyed having no pencil lines to guide me and using a medium I couldn’t erase. What motivated me to start drawing candles was their potential. I saw an opportunity from the way the wax drips to the size of the flames. I didn’t yet know how to properly carve using sharp tools, so as I look back on it, I see its many imperfections. I’ll never forget the feeling when the print came out from the other side of the press, the paper was peeled off, and I saw the image underneath. I remember repeating out loud, ‘Wow,’ thinking to myself, ‘I made that.’ 

“Magic Candle”

With this piece, I thought, ‘What would the candle look like from afar?’ and, ‘How would the flame bend?’ This was also when I realized there was no limit to the number of colors I could put onto a print. I’d attempted to make each swirl a different color, but it didn’t appear right. I also experimented with how I carved out the rest of the space. I wanted to make the swirls echo the power of the candle. This piece allowed me to try many new techniques used in my following prints. It gave me hope to continue creating art. 

“Candy Candelabra”

This piece … gave me hope to continue creating art.

This was the last print I created at AFH. Before I left, I knew I wanted to finish the candle series properly. I tried to combine all the techniques that I’d learned. Adding as much detail as possible was my goal; from the background to the candles, it needed to come alive. The perspective is as if you’re looking at a row of candles. The closest has all the details clearly, while the candles that are farther away allow you to see their shape. I added ‘candy’ to the title of this piece due to the way the wax melted. It looked thicker than wax and more like chocolate. The background is carved to look like a woven fabric from a cozy blanket. 

About the Artist

Tiesha Semedo is a 17-year-old printmaker based in Boston, Massachusetts. Books have always held a special place in her heart, and so has anything hands-on. From science labs to sewing, she has tried it all. When she was introduced to printmaking, she had not even known it existed; but now she enjoys its flexibility. Art has been something she’s always appreciated, but she only had the confidence to explore it as a possible career once she went to Artists For Humanity. At AFH she learned that art was more than an abstract painting or a drawing of a character. She’s passionate about learning and plans to pursue a career that allows her to keep creating new things and arguing ideas with those around her. She creates art on a whim based on things she sees around her, with color being the common theme.

Getting to Know Tiesha

Q: If you could share a message about your art what would it be?

A: If I could send a message through my art, it would be not to fear the unknown. Though it’s cliché, what I want to say is to take risks. I did that through my art by using lots of colors and never being afraid to add more and experiment.

Reflecting Back: Nyarah Carter-Leary, November’s Featured Artist

Two pieces by artist Nyarah Carter brightened the digital screens throughout the Prudential Center in the month of November: “Oak” and “Slabbed Orange.”

“Oak”

“Slabbed Orange”

Nyarah’s Statement

When I start a canvas, I rarely have a concept in mind. For me, it is all about color. I mix every color that I use by myself, starting with one and then finding others to compliment each other. The final result is based on my mind and heart. When I am painting, I put on music and am able to completely zone out my environment and everything around me. The only focus is the painting and where the colors and textures lead me.

About the Artist

Nyarah Carter-Leary is a bright and talented 18-year-old abstract artist whose passion is creating masterpieces for her community to cherish. Living in a neighborhood where few people find peace, Nyarah found her own peace by painting at home, using her heart and mind and reflecting that on a blank canvas. She found a spark for simple yet complex-looking shapes and colors. She further explored her talents by working at Artists For Humanity and allowing her mind to reach new goals. The more creative freedom she exhibited, the more influential she became, making many friends and allowing others to unlock a new potential they never saw in themselves. Nyarah found an escape from the torment of society and utilized it in her passion for creating abstract art while touching the hearts of others.

Getting to Know Nyarah

Q: What is your favorite spot in Boston to relax/have fun/explore?

A: My favorite spot in Boston is Lawn On D, because I find the vibe and atmosphere to be nice and relaxing. It is a good place to calm down and hang out. 

Q: What do you think is an under-appreciated spot in Boston that you wish more people knew about?

A: I think the neighborhood gardens in different communities are some of the most under-appreciated spots in Boston. People put a lot of work into those spaces, and they aren’t always noticed, but I am so grateful for the effort they put in to make those small gardens beautiful. 

 

We are honored to showcase the work of these young, talented artists at Prudential Center. We hope that you will take a moment to stop and appreciate their gifts and the extra joy that their work inspires next time you visit. Happy holidays!

Learn more about May, June, and July’s artists: Sarah Richi, Sam Quintin, and Lydia Disla.

Learn more about August, September, and October’s artists: Evelyn Tran, Catherine Mitchell, and Nyah Leon.

About Artists for Humanity

Artists For Humanity (AFH) provides under-resourced teens the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. AFH is built on the philosophy that engagement in the creative process is a powerful force for social change, and that creative entrepreneurship is a productive and life-changing opportunity for young people. Bridging economic, racial and social divisions, AFH enriches urban communities by introducing young people’s creativity to the business community. To learn more about AFH, please scan the QR code on the screen.