Fractal Africa; the Shape(s) of Culture

Woven jacquard and print selections from my thesis collection examining the nature of fractals in African art, architecture, and culture. Fractals are patterns that repeat themselves at many different scales. In African cultural production fractals can leave the boundaries of simple repeating shapes to ultimately illustrating profound philosophical/spiritual ideas and complex systems. Many of the woven jacquard fabrics are hand dyed in Indigo and play special attention to yarn and dye interactions. Synthetic or man-made yarn acts as a resist in contrast to natural fibers which have a substantivity or natural affinity to Indigo dye.

The goal of this textile collection is twofold, first to demonstrate fractals as the foundational construct that underlies this design process. Secondly, to illustrate textiles as a viable means of communication. Historically and in a contemporary context, textiles in this area of the world communicate ideas, stories, and mundanities of everyday life.  This textile collection of printed and woven fabric, communicate the fractal nature of art, architecture and culture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Fractal Africa; The Shape(s) of Culture collection illustrates some of the essential elements of fractals through shape and texture both paying homage to the designer’s own artistic heritage and as a way to view cultural production with a new visual language.