Textiles
Honey Labeija vs Makayla Lanvin
Drawing on the dances and gestures in vogue/ballroom culture, this naturally dyed, hand-printed, and hand-stitched tapestry is informed by traditional Black dances and how they preserve narratives, language, spirituality, and secret messaging. The design was conceived from studying the movement of Honey Labeija and Makayla Lanvin during a femme battle, and is directly linked to the Yoruba religion through Orishas Oko (deity of the harvest) and Oya (deity of transformation). Red pigment (associated with Orisha Oko) and purple pigment (associated with Orisha Oya) come together, promoting fertile grounds for healing and mortal alchemy.
The symbols are derived from the mature dandelion and tools used in land cultivation, and were printed with woodblocks.
Am I Visible, 2022. Various fabrics, seed beads. 65 x 46 in.
Cultivate, 2026. Naturally dyed hand-printed raw silk. 14 x 28.5 in. (VETIVER’S ROOTS Design Studio)