2022
Stoneware Clay, Overglaze
12 X 15inches
 
 
My research investigates the cultural significance of hair braiding in Nigeria through sculpture. Focusing on Nigerian female hair, particularly hair braiding, I explore its rich historical and societal importance. Drawing inspiration from the fifteenth-century West African societies where hair was used as a form of communication, I highlight its symbolic representation of power, beauty, and identity. My sculptural pieces are centered around the female form that depict royal hairstyles, emphasizing their social status using clay coiling and pinching techniques. Cultural materials such as glazes representing the people of color and gold symbolizing royalty are carefully selected to enhance the narrative. Observing a shift towards global hair trends among Nigerian women, I aim to preserve traditional hairstyles and foster an appreciation for the stories embedded in each strand of Nigerian hair through my artwork.
 
by Joy Okonkon
@joy.m.okokon