Portfolio
MIDDLE PASSAGE GUARDIAN is a moving tribute, to the arduous journey of enslaved Africans across the Middle Passage. This quilt beautifully captures the strength and perseverance of the spirit amidst suffering. At its center, a celestial guardian angel spreads her wings protectively providing shelter for children beneath her feathers. These innocent young souls, survivors of the voyage symbolize hope in the face of despair.Beneath the surface ghostly figures submerged in water evoke the haunting reality of those who did not endure this passage whether by choice or force. The quilt skillfully navigates the complexities of history by portraying the submerged anguish experienced by those who either jumped or were thrown overboard. Through stitching and vibrant colors, this quilt transforms fabric into a powerful testament that prompts deep reflection on triumphs and tragedies woven into our collective human history. MIDDLE PASSAGE GUARDIAN challenges all of us to confront our past.
MIDDLE PASSAGE GUARDIAN
56" X 57"
WE THE PEOPLE features portraits of Barack Obama and Kamala Harris claiming their presence in the Capitol building. The backdrop includes divided words from the Constitution and vibrant African fabrics, symbolizing cultural heritage and progress. The portraits represent their historic roles in American leadership and the enduring journey toward equality and unity for all citizens. I also proudly include the first Black members of the United States Congress from the 1870s.
WE THE PEOPLE
40" X 48"
SONS OF SONS OF KINGS I created this art quilt, featuring portraits of the first black congressmen of the 1870s, to highlight their pioneering roles before the onset of Jom Crow laws. This is little-known fact to many. This honors these trailblazers, celebrating their significant, yet often overlooked, contributions to American history and their fight for equality and representation. I hope my efforts to bring forth our rich cultural history are well received.
SONS OF SONS OF KINGS
40" X 48"
GIVE THEM THEIR FLOWERS This artwork honors African American inventors, showcasing their patents for life-changing tools. Let’s give each one their flowers as they are surrounded by illustrations of their innovations. The piece highlights their ingenuity and contributions, often overlooked, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping modern society. It serves as a tribute to their enduring legacy and creativity. These are but a few of the patented inventions by African Americans.
GIVE THEM THEIR FLOWERS
46" X 35"
THE SLAVE HORN Meet Willis Winn, an ex-slave who was reported to have lived to be 116. He is holding a Slave Horn, which was used every morning at 4 a.m. to call the slaves to start work. His life symbolizes resilience and history, spanning from bondage to freedom and embodying the enduring human spirit. The Slave Horn connected him to a painful past, ensuring that the echoes of slavery's legacy resonate through generations, reminding us of our shared history.
THE SLAVE HORN
34" X 48"
WHAT MUST SHE BE THINKING When I saw this image, taken by photographer Dorthea Lange in 1939, of this Mississippi Sharecropper sitting on the porch of her cabin gazing into the distance, it made me wonder if she was thinking about emancipation, her ancestors, and what had really changed. Could she be thinking that one form of slavery had been replaced by another? The intricate stitches and somber hues seem to evoke that realization.
WHAT MUST SHE BE THINKING
38" X 41"
THE NEGRO MOTHER After reading this poem and being consumed with such emotion it almost brought me to tears, I was moved to create a visual representation. Langston Hughes penned this poem as the battle cry of all Negro Mothers who struggled and sacrificed. There were easier methods, but my soul spoke out and said HOW DARE YOU! She endured all that she had to so that I could be free to create this art. I printed, cut, and appliqued 1767 letters with gratitude!
THE NEGRO MOTHER
64" X 69"
WHERE'S MY DADDY I named this piece, "WHERE’S MY DADDY." Seldom is the topic of the ones left behind during this harrowing historical atrocity addressed. This piece captures the loneliness and confusion of a child left behind during the transatlantic slave trade. The somber scene of this quilt conveys the child's despair and bewilderment, evoking deep empathy for the young lives of those whose lives were disrupted.
WHERE'S MY DADDY
31" X 30"
FREE-ISH My art quilt serves as a reminder that the echoes of Emancipation and the shadows of Jim Crow laws shaped our collective consciousness. The quilt's composition mirrors the fractured landscape of a nation navigating the aftermath of slavery, illustrating the duality of progress and persistent racial injustice. My work becomes a testament to the enduring power of art to confront, challenge, and ultimately, foster understanding.
FREE-ISH
42" X 58"
I CAN'T BREATHE This art quilt depicts a crying figure and onlooking casualties of police brutality. Magnified with the words "I CAN'T BREATHE." This powerful piece memorializes George Floyd and others killed by police, capturing collective grief and outrage. The quilt stitches together sorrow and a call for justice, embodying the ongoing struggle against racial violence. The puddle of water symbolizes the vast oceans crossed by our enslaved ancestors and the black and white halves represent a still divided nation.
I CAN'T BREATHE
38" X 38"
1618: HAPPY PEOPLE This Art quilt depicts happy people in 1618 before the Transatlantic slave trade began. A vibrant celebration of diverse cultures. This quilt features scenes of joyful community life across Africa. Showcasing traditional festivals, dances, and joyful activities. Rich, colorful fabrics and intricate stitching and applique bring life to what had to be the harmonious existence and cultural richness of these societies before millions were enslaved.
1618: HAPPY PEOPLE
70" X 70"
MAMI WATA (MOTHER WATER) This quilt was my way of capturing the mythical African mermaid Mami Wata. She is surrounded by vibrant festival scenes from her annual feast. The quilt's rich colors and intricate details showcase joyous celebrations with dancers, offerings, and highlight the significance of this revered water diety. She is said to sometimes appear as a mermaid, and sometimes as a serpent, hence the snake coiled around her neck.
MAMI WATA (MOTHER WATER)
48" X 47"
HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE Our children are our hope for a future that rises above past generations. Futures that are filled with hope, justice, joy, unity, equality and love. May their future sparkle with hope and wonder. May they envision a world where diversity is celebrated, education is an equalizer, and justice prevails. May their dreams be shaped by a tomorrow where possibilities are boundless and their unique contributions shine brightly.
HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE
50" X 57"