Textiles, Mirror, Bone Fragments, Bone Beads, Found Objects, Linen thread.
Winner of the Coraki Art Prize- Sculpture 2011
The Bear Project began as a response to the pain and suffering inflicted upon civilians, mainly women and children, during warfare. The bears represent the child soldiers that are being utilized in jungle warfare throughout Africa and Asia.The bears represent the child soldiers that are being utilized in jungle warfare throughout Africa and Asia. I took pre-loved teddies and soft toys and cover them with fatigue print, using heavy waxed thread to stitch the pieces together as I slowly subvert the original found object into its new status. I inserted talisman and secret objects into the bears as is done in the preparation of Nkisi ( Voodoo dolls).
In the Eastern Congo, stolen children are initiated into a mythical warrior race – Mai-Mai, and then told that they have the magical mystical powers that make them invincible. The militants then send the children in first to battle so that they draw fire before the adults. Many children suffer horrific injuries and loss of life.