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BLK RICE / VESSELS

Black Rice, Clear Resin and Fabric

“The millions of Africans who were dragged to the New World were not blank slates upon which European civilisations could write at will. They were peoples with complex social, political and religious systems of their own. By forced transportation and incessant violence, slavery was able to interdict the transfer of those systems; none could be carried intact across the sea. But it could not crush the intellects, habits of mind, and spirits of its victims. They survived in spite of everything, their children survived and in them survived Africa.” So goes the opening statement of Judith Ann Carney’s book entitled ‘Black Rice’ on which this sculpture is based. As detailed in the book, ‘Oryza Glaberrina’ (or “African Rice”) has never ever been found outside of West Africa. Which is why when the grain was found growing in abundance in Suriname — much to the surprise of geographers — Carney began years of research to uncover exactly how the crop made the 100,000 mile journey across the ocean and ended up in Surinamese soil. Upon coming into contact with the Maroon community of Suriname, Carney learnt that many African women braided rice or seeds into their hair before journeying the Middle Passage on their way into enslavement, or braided it into their children’s hair before separation between plantations, so as to counter hunger as best they could.

Their ancestors carried these grains within them, along with the knowledge of how to cultivate them. Both these things were passed down through several generations of their descendants, who not only continue to cultivate the rice to this day, but also teach tourists how to plait rice into canerows. These women acted as vessels, much like the elders in my life. Within them, they carry some phenomenal anecdotes, wisdoms and histories. Many of these are of their own discovery and creation, but several have been passed down through generations – often verbally – and live on through those to whom they have been imparted. These elders harbour innumerable elements of tradition and heritage by which younger generations may be enlightened and enriched. Through them, we have the opportunity to delve deeper into discoveries of who we are and where we come from. They are our link to our origins; living, breathing vessels of knowledge. And they are celebrated within this sculpture. I am overwhelmingly proud of this piece.

The head is almost reminiscent of liquid gold when it is illuminated. It is truly beautiful. I really wanted the piece to leave viewers in awe, in spite of its simplicity. To do so, I ended up making it roughly 10 feet tall. It towered over viewers in London Gallery West, and it actually felt quite imposing and formidable to an extent. It had an air of dignity and nobility, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve. I feel as though I successfully captured the presence, ingenuity and beauty of the women I intended for this sculpture to represent.