Loom Spirits

My Loom Spirits abstract the aesthetics of Black hairstyles into expressive, individual identities that transcend their original references. These Loom Spirits are linear, bodily, and deeply personal. They embody a protective, guardian-like role, symbolizing the preservation of Black culture and knowledge. 

In my Loom Spirits, I use a blend of materials such as cotton, wool, mohair, chenille, and synthetic braiding hair. I blend these materials into my work to situate them in worlds of both fiber art and Black hairstyling. They use thick and thin yarns and light and dark yarns to create depth and shadows in the work. 

At the center of each Loom Spirit is a pattern referencing Black hair; some of the Loom Spirits have curved lines in the center to imitate braided hair patterns, and some have Bantu knots. I also use Kanekalon braiding hair as a material to point back to Black hair. Loom Spirits are made on a backstrap loom, a tool that consists of wooden sticks of varying sizes and a strap that goes around the weaver’s back. When weaving, the loom is attached to me and I become an extension of the tool. The backstrap loom merges with my body in a way that transforms the process into something deeply physical and spiritual. 

The act of weaving is rhythmic, almost meditative, as my hands move in sync with the loom. In these moments, the rhythm of the process pulls me in, connecting my mind, body, and spirit in a way that feels both grounding and transformative.