Black History Month UK
Dear all,
Welcome to another year of Black History Month UK!
This year, the Black History Month theme is ‘Reclaiming Black Narratives’.
HN projects decided to try something new from poetry, and biographies of people of African and Caribbean descent who made a difference in different fields.
We have designed and constructed jewelry and an art piece inspired by the African culture filled with symbols that have a positive impact on outlook. Some of these symbols are used in West Africa especially the Akan and Asante tribes to portray messages using fabric, ornaments, hairpieces, clothing, jewelry, pottery, and interior design.
As a whole, the cultural diversity is immaculate with a whole history to learn from and to be inspired by.
Please see our artwork below
References
Black History Heroes Blog (2023) The language of symbols in Africa Available at. https://www.blackhistoryheroes.com/2015/04/the-language-of-symbols-in-africa.html (Accessed: 30th September 2024).
Welcome to another year of Black History Month UK!
This year, the Black History Month theme is ‘Reclaiming Black Narratives’.
HN projects decided to try something new from poetry, and biographies of people of African and Caribbean descent who made a difference in different fields.
We have designed and constructed jewelry and an art piece inspired by the African culture filled with symbols that have a positive impact on outlook. Some of these symbols are used in West Africa especially the Akan and Asante tribes to portray messages using fabric, ornaments, hairpieces, clothing, jewelry, pottery, and interior design.
As a whole, the cultural diversity is immaculate with a whole history to learn from and to be inspired by.
Please see our artwork below
References
Black History Heroes Blog (2023) The language of symbols in Africa Available at. https://www.blackhistoryheroes.com/2015/04/the-language-of-symbols-in-africa.html (Accessed: 30th September 2024).
African Fusion
This wall art piece has its narrative. There is a combination of materials, colours, shapes, and forms. The colours of Black History Month are yellow, orange, green, and blue. The map of Africa is surrounded by a metallic background with several polygon shapes and mosaic-like patterns. The inner line of the border is oval-shaped in the middle and consists of West African symbols where each tells its own story. This textured piece was designed with metal, jewels, coloured paper, felt tips, markers, paint, and card paper.
Fiery flower
Inspired by the African sun daisy called Osteospermum, this artifact is made of red satin fabric that connotes fiery love. The string is attached to two of the petals. The open bonding between the two petals is a symbol of love, unity, and global diversity.
Mrembo
In the Swahili language commonly spoken in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and other neighboring countries, Mrembo means beautiful. This artifact is a two-layered necklace with a matching bracelet. The green represents the Baobab tree known as the tree of life that rests on the grasslands. The close connection between the red, orange, and silver beads with golden ornaments presents natural landscapes in Africa that have priceless views as the sun rises and are exquisite like gold. Key examples are the Safari, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Sahara desert, the River Nile, and others.
Pearldom
This necklace chain consists of pearls and jewels of shades of orange, gold, and brown. It refers to each country's defined beauty, organic gems, and discoveries yet to be explored of its history, culture, and wisdom amongst nature.
Simba
Inspired by a childhood movie, the Lion King, please meet Simba.
This two-layered chain necklace is made of brown ornaments and orange beads. It symbolises the enriched soil where growth begins.
This two-layered chain necklace is made of brown ornaments and orange beads. It symbolises the enriched soil where growth begins.
Sunrise
This silver necklace contains an orange heart. The scent of fresh flowers, the waves of the sea, the sounds of birds singing merrily ready to start the day as the sun rises. Each day has a new narrative and motive.