"I enjoy learning about & including subtle nods to my lineage in my work. Thats where I often pull inspiration from: those who got me here. Years ago I did one of those dna tests (I know) and learned my lineage reached to the West African Mendenka population (a broad term) /Cut to: JUJU's/The Mandenka, like other West African groups, use jujus, or similar charms, in their spiritual practices. These might be small pouches or amulets with spiritual verses, herbs, or sacred objects, crafted for protection for luck, or healing. That is where my inspiration comes from with these. The tassels are made of horse hair, seaweed fiber or lotus fiber. The lotus (white) and seaweed (grey) fibers are green decorticated and are from India. The seaweed is sourced from enteromorpha flexuosa fibers that are in abundant supply in the Brahmaputra Delta (west Bengal). Its harvested from the rivers and ponds and then sun dried. The lotus fiber is from the stalk of the lotus flower plant: Nelumbo nucifera."
