ARTIST STATEMENT

Stories are the thread that weaves through my work. In each piece I tell the story of the wood as well as the stories of my people. Though I also work in other mediums (textiles and jewelry) the carving process is what thrills and sustains me the most.

There is a spiritual element in wood; it contains the history of its life as a tree and the life that grew around it. I love to manipulate the grain and the layers to reveal this story as I carve. Chipping away at a log to expose the object inside it is an exhilarating and inspiring process. I continue to explore the wood’s past through the plant and clay dyes I create to add colour to the piece.

I was raised in a family that told the early tales of Africa. Because of this I carve meaningful symbols into the piece to pay tribute to both my history and the legends of the ancestors. By incorporating elements such as antique brass I hope to honor the past generations who have shaped such materials. The use of time-honored African methods of carving is significant in my work to keep its history alive.

 Every piece that I create is a thread to Africa’s past. Once I finish a carving (such as a mask) a new character is born from the stories, with its own set of tales to tell. Through my art I endeavor to keep the traditions of Africa alive.