The historic place of Africans brought to America is deeply interwoven in the larger culture that too often obscures or suppresses that presence. In my work I use African and other ethnic fabrics, mixed with western textiles (as well as my own hand-dyed fabrics) to show the inter-relationship of the two - one referential to the other. I attempt to stake a claim on this territory not often used in the mainstream. These images are not solely African, or even Africanized, but feature the colors and patterns of Africa, Aboriginal Australia, and Asia in re-imagined, blended, contexts. My objective is to use these accessorial prints in a way that incorporates and normalizes them within the context of the images, as a part of the whole rather than as indicia of ethnicism itself. I expand the connotations of these fabrics beyond their traditional uses so that my audience can experience them as integral components of skies and ground, sun rises and trees, butterflies and fish, and part of all there is in the universe. I draw on the typically intense color pallets and patterns of ethnic fabrics to provide excitement for the eye and to convey emotion.
About the Artist
I consider myself the Grandma Moses of fiber art. I waited 60 years to follow my dreams. Using commercial fabrics, ethnic prints, and my own hand-dyed materials, as well as reclaimed and recycled western materials, I create each image; an original product of my own imagination or my interpretation of nature. Methods include traditional quilting, raw-edge appliqué, and fabric mosaics and collage. Fabrications can include fabric, strings, ribbons, buttons, cheesecloth, beads, tulle, lace, suede, and leather with other recycled materials. I bring to my work a uniquely bi-racial, African American point of view. My works include re-imaginations of iconic Christian images, familiar, ordinary images, and natural phenomena, using African wax prints, Aboriginal prints, and other ethnic fabric, which I mix with western fabric. My objective is to use African and ethnic prints in a way that “normalizes” them within the context of the images, as a part of the whole rather than as indicia of ethnicism itself. I draw on the typically intense color pallets and patterns of ethnic fabrics to provide excitement for the eye and to convey emotion.Artist's Statement
Chosen as Artist of the Month, June 2021 by St. Mary's Art Council Chosen as Visual Artist for Prince Geoge's county Juneteenth (Virtual) Celebration - June 14 -19.Featured Work
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