Hybrid Kanzashi
Hairpieces are important parts of Japanese and South African cultures, from which I pull much of my inspiration. Hair has become a major subject in my art exploring my multi-racial experience, so it felt appropriate to make my own hairpiece. My kanzashi displays a large African flower and two Japanese flowers. Flowers represent growth and development, something my art has provided me on my journey to embrace my racial identity. The beaded wire traveling from one flower to another illustrates the cross-pollination process. Bees travel from flower to flower, bringing the pollen from one to another. In a way, flowers are mixed just like me, sharing the pollen of many different flowers. While creating this piece I learned a program called tinkercad and printed the pieces on a 3D printer.
Insect Kanzashi Box
Each piece is made from laser-cut wood and acrylic, inspired by the simplistic character design found in the animated series, Samurai Jack.
Hair Picks
These hair picks are made from laser-cut acrylic. The "Don't Touch" pick addresses the issue of people self-authorizing themselves to touch Black and curly hair. The second pick depicts the community formed around Black hair maintenance, its beauty, and its challenges within America.