Taisere Series I

Meaning 'yesterday' and 'tomorrow' in Maa, the language of the Maasai, Taisere is a series that repurposes the images of holy iconography. In historic paintings, there are seldom images of halos worn by people of dark skin, and the women that appear are often portrayed as supplicant and sombre. 

Taking the traditional Maasai necklaces, which are usually worn stacked in a stunning collar, I have given a halo to images of bold, modern, Kenyan women. 

In traditional Maasai bead arrangement, the colours represent aspects of Maasai culture:

Red: bravery and unity, the colour of cow's blood

Blue: energy, the colour of rainfall and clear blue skies 

Orange: warmth, generosity and friendship

Yellow: fertility and growth, the colour of the sun

Green: health and land, the colour of grass

White: peace, purity and health, the colour of milk

Black represents the people and the struggles they must endure.

Size: A1 | 23-3/8 x 33-1/8 inches | 594 x 841 mm

Printed on Fine Art Paper and mounted on wood.