Where Fabric Meets Flight

These mixed-media suspended quilted works are inspired by the majesty of the Maasai people of northern, central, and southern Kenya. Unlike other African cultures—such as the Asante of Ghana or the Yoruba of Nigeria—textile production is not traditionally practiced by Maasai men. I’m drawn to the striking interplay between the vibrant colors of the fabric and the rich, dark tones of the Maasai people’s skin, as well as the fabric’s essential role in the Maasai jumping dance—a ceremonial performance where young warriors leap high into the air as a powerful display of strength, agility, and bravery.

This body of work allows me to visually document those same qualities—strength, agility, and bravery—within African and African American history, as well as my own family’s story.