Aphrocene (2023) heralds the creation of twelve deities, each embodying the intricate intersections of culture, identity, and ecology. This series weaves ancient tradition with contemporary narratives, offering a powerful meditation on resilience and transformation. Nine clay sculptures, symbolizing fertility, are crowned with reclaimed Afro hair, blending ancestral reverence with modern artistry. Three human-shaped vessels cradle soil harvested from Italy’s volcanic terrain, a land that has become both a sanctuary and a site of displacement for African immigrants.

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At the center stands an intersex herm figure, a guardian of fluidity and convergence, uniting themes of art, identity, and the environment. These vessels, formed from clay and infused with elements of the human body, evoke a visceral connection to heritage while rooting themselves in new landscapes. Together, they celebrate cultural endurance, merging the human form with the earth to symbolize belonging, regeneration, and the enduring ties between people and their environment.

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Material: Glazed fire-kiln clay, ash, human Afro hair, human bodily fluids, soil from Italy’s volcanic terrains

 

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