Biography
An eclectic mix of interests, influences and experiences is at the heart of Claudette Roper’s artistry. Her parents’ involvement with the Civil Rights Movement ignited her quest for social justice. A voracious appetite for literature and history was nurtured as a young girl, while curiosity concerning the media led to a successful career in corporate communications and media production working with an impressive list of power brokers. Roper’s love affair with the arts started in childhood. Throughout her life, she wrote poetry and prose, painted, sketched, designed clothing and accessories. However, art was not a formal pursuit until she started graduate school in 2003.
The interdisciplinary artist combines familiar mediums with new methods of expression to focus on issues related to justice, family/history, loss of innocence and oppression. She often uses layers of compelling text, imaginative images and textiles in her work to create discourse. Roper has performed original works at Links Hall, 3030 and One Sixty Blue. Her videos and multimedia installations have been featured at the Book & Paper Gallery, Hokin Gallery and Columbia College Chicago. In February of 2007, her multi-media installation on racism, Other State, premiere as a documentary at Glenn Poor Chicago. Her current work in progress is The Man Project, a documentary, multimedia installation and web-based experience that explores an array of relationships from the perspective of Black men.
A recipient of the prestigious 2006 Albert P. Weisman Award, Roper has a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television and Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts and Media from Columbia College Chicago. The Chicago native has taught several classes at her alma mater including Culture, Race and Media, Aesthetics and Storytelling II, and Media and Fro Values.
For more information on this artist and project, please visit ClaudetteRoper.com.
