Artist's Statement

"Contradictions" represents my exploration of the human spirit and the contradictions that appear inherent within it. The impetus for the creations stemmed from the unraveling horror of violence in otherwise quiet communities, the communities' reactions, and the end to that violence. Questions in my mind arose regarding one of philosophy's great debates: John Locke's belief that people are naturally moral, reasonable, and tolerant versus Thomas Hobbes' belief that people are naturally wicked. I explored the unanswerable question of how one human can bring such pain to others, and attempted to create a visual definition for how a community comes back together after it has been torn apart.

I used strong colors and shapes to create movement within the pieces, which depict scenes of fear, solidarity, anger, meditation, healing and celebration to communicate the strong reactions and feelings of those affected by this terrible tragedy. At the same time on a much broader perspective, there are many places around the world where families and communities are torn apart and live in poverty and fear because of violence, religious intolerance, discrimination and/or oppression. Paintings such as "Unexpected Vibes" represent a life which revolves around tasks of basic survival, where the long, lanky figures, emphasized by the long, thin canvas, toil all day, yet they still make time to celebrate life by creating colorful costumes and jewelry and by dancing. In the natural material collages, which utilize banana tree bark, birch bark, leaves, pine needles and husks, combined in a traditional, meticulous process, the pieces depict scenes from daily life, or "ujamaa," which is Kiswahili for cooperation, unity in family, and in community life. There is beauty in even the most mundane aspects of life, enhanced more so by the communal effort. As a Tanzanian who has lived in the United States for seven years, how a community comes together, as they do in the Tanzanian community, has always been the focus and the inspiration for my artwork. I hope that this exhibit, "Contradictions," brings more dialogue about what a community is and does, and how we have been brought together to continue the healing process.

The following seven pieces are my most recent pieces, which explore the emotions and reactions of those affected by the recent violence in the DC area.

Broken - The scenery is from the mother's imagination, her vision of the perfect place to live. Yet the peaceful dream has been broken, the serenity disrupted when she finds her urn broken. The urn represents the family's sustenance and means of survival. On the urn itself, the figures are joined in unity, and that too has been broken.

Brainwashed - What is inside of a brainwashed person? One eye is closed to keep the truth inside and one eye is open to show the anger and hatred. The mouth is sewn shut so as not to talk with family and community.

Call for Peace - The sharp geometric shapes mirror the emotions felt by the protestors. After the violence occurred, people who were filled with horror, sadness and anger, took to the streets holding signs with a call for peace.

Candle Light Vigil - The community comes together after a tragedy to show unity and support, to promote healing, and to make changes in the current situation.

Grief and Healing - A mother comforts her child, full of grief, deep in thought and in meditation. The candles are a part of the spiritual healing process.

Sigh of Relief - The abstract color design mimics the collective pumping of the heart that had been beating rapidly in fear, then slowed down with a release of breath and a sigh of relief when the terror passed.

Celebrate Living - People celebrate after the violence is over. They rejoice in the safety of being outside, and begin to get their lives back together, with a new found sense of family and community.

Solidarity Day, Evening, and Night - A three part series showing a vibrant community at work, at play and living life together in harmony.