My creative process is divinely guided.
We are reflections of the universe.
About My Work
My work is deeply spiritual and influenced by themes and stories of Afrikan diaspora ancient civilizations, ancestors, generational healing, identity, and sexuality. As a multidimensional artist and creative this allows me the opportunity to reimagine and renegotiate narratives and spaces occupied by Black & Brown bodies while simultaneously interrogating and recontexualizing systems of oppression, I believe that’s what gives my work the most depth. Because the truth of a people can not be eradicated. Black people were there. Black people are here. Black people are in the future.
My Creative Process Is Divinely Guided
My creative process is divinely guided. My master teachers are life it’s self, Afrofuturism and Ifa’ (popularly known as Yoruba). These tools along with my ancestors and community assist me in cultivating high levels of autonomy in my work, something I will spend the rest of my life working towards My art is a conduit to social change, healing generational trauma and creating jubilee around those of us in the Afrikan Diaspora and the ones that love us. My community celebrates me for creating meaningful art that connects across cultures and generations. Afrofuturism by its definition allows me to blend past, present and future, fact, fiction and truth, all at once. Ifa’ shows me how to look to my ancestors and Orisha for spiritual guidance. Beliefs of mine that bring forth ideas that empower people, apply deeper meaning, and removes the fear from shadow work and allows me to be an unwavering vessel in the spirit of the arts.
People ask about my creative process. It’s funny, in a weird way that my creations don’t necessarily come to life in any particular order. While each one has their own stories and set of rules a common message is that my art is purposeful and needs to be here. My creative process is organic, layers unearthed in stages, and is quite the messy experience. I don’t think anyone more than the artist considers the amount of time is spent thinking about a piece/project, concept(s) behind it, or the duration from inception to finish, hours spent sourcing materials or laboring over the work, and how all that can change anytime. Materials seem to find me way before I ever go looking for them. Sometimes the material itself gives me inspiration for my next piece. It’s magical the way it all unfolds. I feel a “nesting instinct”, when sourcing materials in a similar way folks nest before moving into a place or the way mother’s nest to prepare for their babies. I form an impenetrable bond with whatever idea I’m birthing at the time, an energy, a protective nature, an unpredictable exploration, a continuum until the culmination of it.
Lastly, I have a deep affinity for the inner workings of found objects. Repurposing upcycled objects is not only more sustainable to the planet, but it allows creativity to be accessed anywhere. Also, I welcome challenges when it comes to cementing techniques that work for specific projects. It’s exciting to find solutions by using techniques that stick because for me it cuts down on production time as well as familiarizes people with my particular style. My goal is to always incorporate things that stimulate the 5 senses. I tend to use a layering method, texture, glue and heat to achieve the goal. I cherish items reminiscent of my childhood. My favorite materials include: cowrie shells, beads, vintage books/magazines, animal bones/fur/feathers, dirt, rocks, herbs, flowers, wool, cotton, burlap, shiny-gaudy fabric like sequence and and glitter, vibrant colors, cultural and ceremonial items, patterns, trinkets, adhesives, paint, obscure things, my favorite things, things that bring me joy, excitement, inspiration, peace, things that I can reclaim, things that I can rename, things that I can offer new meaning.