Being African in the western world, I have realised the high level of ignorance and lack of education about my continent, a lot shown in British media is ads of charity relating to Africa's poverty and orphans or the wildlife on the National geographic channel. 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 for this exhibition are beaded masks I designed and commissioned Maasai women from Tanzania to create. The pieces were inspired by the pandemic, how the use of the masks cover our facial expressions and our facial identity. Through social media, 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 an 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 from Tanzania, to showcase this amazing traditional skill. The colours are drawn from the vibrant designs of Maasai jewellery and general aesthetic of African wax prints. Photography credits to Georgia Hinds @ghphotography.
