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CLARA NARTEY | Textile Portrait Artist | Vibrant Colors

Fiber Art, Museum Exhibitions, Contemporary Art

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Black Crowns

"Black Crowns" is a series of works which explores the African-American hair story

Being born and raised in Africa and then later migrating to America, I came to realize that, just like my skin color, my hair (my black crown), is a symbol of my identity. It is not simply a set of fashion or style choices, I make.
So, I began to wonder about the black crown stories of my ancestors who were brought here to America several generations ago

Which of the hair traditions did they bring with them? Which of these hair traditions still remain among their descendants here in the USA, in Africa, and the diaspora. How did they groom their hair in a country that didn't have the potions and hair implements they were used to?

Click the images to see more details.

I am a Child

I am a Child

Gele – The Skyscraper

Gele – The Skyscraper

Queen Sissieretta

Queen Sissieretta

Amandla

Amandla

Hats Don’t Fit

Hats Don’t Fit

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Copyright © 2026 · All images copyrighted by the artist, Clara Nartey,
and are not to be copied or reproduced in any manner.
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