Artwork title : African and Proud

Being African in the western world, I have realised the high level of ignorance and lack of education about my continent, a lot that is shown in the UK is ads of charity relating to Africa's poverty and orphans. My mission, through my work, is to showcase and celebrate the unique things about Africa to the western world because there is more to show. My submission is an image of a beaded mask I designed and got made by Maasai women from Tanzania. The piece is inspired by the current pandemic, how the use of the masks cover our facial expressions and our facial identity. Through Pinterest and Instagram, I saw artists trying to personalise their masks, using them as a form of self expression. This got me thinking about my background and inspired the idea of masks proudly showing my identity. I’m from a tribe called the Maasai from northern Tanzania and Kenya, and they create beautiful hand-made beadwork. This inspired me to design the colourful masks and have them made by Maasai women, to showcase this amazing traditional skill. The colours are drawn from the vibrant designs of Maasai jewellery and general aesthetic of African wax prints. I would also like to mention my collaboration with other black artists for this project, my amazing photographer Georgia Hinds @ghphotography, my stylist Josh Gilzeane and my two models, Michaela and Maryann.