The Busts in this collection show the silhouette of an Indigenous Muslim Woman adored in her Khimar. As a society, the way we choose to wear our hair is a form of expression. For a Muslim woman, her headpiece expresses a great deal of sentiment and her attitude about life. Khimars for Muslim Women can be Regal and Colorful. Indigenous Muslims have always been here in this society, strong, invisible and unattainable. Now more than ever, the identity of African Americans are considered an afterthought, but we are ever-present. In a tribute to the Abstract Expressionist and Scholar, Norman Lewis, I chose this theme to show the beauty of a Muslimah and her adornment. With a combination of color and style, this personifies who the Muslim Woman will always be.
“If you are confident in your image, you’re spiritually indulged in self..”
~ Demesio Sango, Nappy Roots Barbershop
This body of work focuses on men of the African Diaspora displayed as well-adorned entities which lead the world. Looking historically at African hairstyles and contemporary barbershop cuts, these works examine the notion of African male grooming and its importance in social ritual. As an artist, I am always imbued by the connections we find with others representing us, past and present. Male relationships are the theme of this series, taking a thoughtful look into the dynamics where men feel free to speak and interact without stereotypes weighing down their expression. Traditionally, men have spaces created to connect in grooming and adornments in Africa. Places of grooming for African American men have been barbershops, which have played an important place in our history. Historically, these shops have been traditional places for issues open for vulnerability; a second home, a town hall, a place of refuge, and a place of healing.
The works, all inspired by the connection to the traditional and the contemporary man, span across the African diaspora and, through paint and collage, show the soliloquy of that relationship. This investigation into the value men place on their adornments combines contemporary and traditional, starting with their crowns and continuing with the patterns representing their culture's origin. Together these works depict those who are comfortable in their spaces and those who value caring for each other in an infectious way that connects to tradition, community, and pride.
The Generations collection focuses on the spiritual notions of JOY found in everyday family life. I wanted to show protection, love, and compassion through body language and small gestures in these pieces. The intergenerational relationships of the family are where our most vital connections are created. I use ancient patterns and Sanskrit symbols with bold colors to represent our connections to Africa, the origin of Man. Generations all come together to form that legacy.
We are the custodians of this land...
The Series explores themes of home, family, and Rites of Passage. Each lineage carries its own power. Each light multiplied. Each shade of melanin is filled with collective history. Together they stand as the sum of their ancestors’ hopes, worries, and dreams of living radically.
“Subliminal seduction”
Dance keeps a culture of a people alive by sharing and teaching younger generations the dances. Dance keeps the history of people live as well. Dances are performed for Community Celebrations, Births, Deaths, and Rites of Passage.
In African societies, dance serves a complex diversity of social purposes. Within indigenous dance tradition, each performance usually has a principal and several subsidiary purposes, which may express or reflect the communal values and social relationships of the people.
There is a language and a culture we as Indiginous Beings come from. In my work, I want to bring out the beauty I see in the written language of our ancestral home, as well as the beauty of the woman in her natural form.
I love to hear women speak! Our voices, our cadence, our tones. There is grace and elegance that we have about us, and it is my desire to bring that out in the pieces of this series. And we cannot be silenced or made to feel invisible.
The creations are here, in an honorable nod to #normanlewis with representations of a woman’s voice in the vibrational abstracts around her, and the ancient language of Africa, both in color and print, Women of Grace are present.
