Bamako, Mali

After returning from Bamako, Mali, I created this drawing collage depicting several of the cultural aspects of Bamako. I highlighted the cuisine, traditional mud cloth patterns, cultural dances, sculptures, the landscape, the ceremonial tea practices around my self-portrait.

In Fall 2010-Spring 2011 I traveled to Bamako, Mali to apprentice under Ba Traore to learn traditional Malian wood sculpture. During my time there I created two Chi-Wara sculptures, one female and one male. I was also able to learn traditional Mud-cloth which can be seen in the background of my sculptures (one in black and white and the other a monochrome brown).

The Male Chi-Wara I created with the brown and black mud cloth I made.

The Female Chi-Wara I created with the white and black mud cloth I made.