Precious Artifacts is a series of handmade platinum and palladium prints on translucent velum and Cyanotypes on Japanese Washi paper. This work draws from the objects in my family’s archives, which have been passed down across generations to preserve cultural knowledge and heritage through artifacts. Preserving cultural history and connection is central to Black communities, creating a shared memory for future generations and allowing them to engage directly with family events and experiences. The artifacts in this series return to the places my ancestors inhabited through slavery and migration, exploring memory and heritage within these historical spaces. Materiality is a key consideration in the work as it represents the fragility of memory and knowledge through the delicate nature of vellum and washi paper.
This work considers the research of Black feminist visual theorist Tina Campt, particularly her book Listening to Images, where her theory draws from the Black Atlantic cultural traditions, wherein sound, rhythm, and embodied memory are critical to cultural expression and identity. She challenges the traditional approach of merely “looking at” images and invites audiences to “listen” to them. This series adopts Campt’s concept, encouraging viewers to move from visual observation to a listening-based interaction, inviting them to consider the cultural and historical resonance within each artifact. This approach frames the images not just as static objects but as narratives that resonate through time, opening a dialogue with Black Atlantic cultural formations and fostering a deeper sensory engagement with history.
