• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

CLARA NARTEY |Unlock Your Creative Potential

Creativity, Thread Sketching, Art Quilters, Fiber Artists

  • Start Here
    • The Artist
    • Artworks
    • Exhibitions
  • Work with Clara
    • Hire Clara
    • Take a Course
  • Media + Press
  • Blog
  • Contact

Chance Meeting

June 15, 2020 by Clara Nartey 4 Comments

Hey Creative Friends,

I recently completed a new piece of work that I’ll like to share with you. It’s called Chance Meeting. Chance Meeting is the first in a series titled “Black Crowns”. Let me tell you a little bit about the background of “Black Crowns”

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

I was born and raised in Africa (Ghana) and then later, I migrated to America. In Ghana, since almost everyone is black, your skin color and hair type aren’t noticeable identifiers.

It was here in America that I came to realize that, just like my skin color, my hair (my black crown), is a symbol of my identity. The way I wear 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.

fiber art| textile art| art quilt
 portrait quilt| quilt portrait| thread painting | free motion embroidering quilting
“Chance Meeting” (detail), 40″ x 30″, Paint, Cotton, Polyester, © Clara Nartey 2020

Which of the hair traditions did they bring with them from Africa? 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? How did decisions about their hair affect their everyday lives? These are the questions this series of works will be exploring.

I begin this series with my personal black crown story

Over the years, I had started to question why I needed to apply chemicals to my hair in order to straighten it. Chemicals can often damage your hair. So, I toyed with the idea of wearing my natural coily hair instead of a perm. However, I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to style it fashionably. 

“Chance Meeting” (detail), 40″ x 30″, Paint, Cotton, Polyester, © Clara Nartey 2020

Growing up, I hadn’t really learned to care for and wear my natural hair in a way that was “fashionable”. Don’t get me wrong. I could do the basics, just to tide me over till I got a perm. I knew how to do simple braids and twists. However, taking care of my perm? Oh that, I certainly knew how to do.

The thing is, as a teenager, the image of fashionable hairstyles that I saw all around me and in popular culture was the long straight hair. So, that’s what I wanted. And as soon as I could, I had my hair straightened. And it remained straightened for a very long time.

“Chance Meeting” (detail), 40″ x 30″, Paint, Cotton, Polyester, © Clara Nartey 2020

Then a couple of years ago, I went on a campus tour with my daughter who was interviewing for schools. There, I met an African American woman wearing her natural coils in a bun just like you see in this piece of artwork.

I walked up to her and told her how much I loved the look of her hair and how scared I was that if I tried to wear mine that way, I wouldn’t be able to groom and manage it.

“Chance Meeting” (detail), 40″ x 30″, Paint, Cotton, Polyester, © Clara Nartey 2020

This wonderful woman gave me tips to help me transition to wearing my This wonderful woman gave me tips to help me transition to wearing my natural coils. Ever since that chance meeting, I’ve worn my natural coily hair. I’m still in the process of learning how to easily care for, and fashionably wear my natural hair. It’s a journey.

“Chance Meeting”, 40″ x 30″, Paint, Cotton, Polyester, © Clara Nartey 2020

So, that’s the story behind this piece. If you look closely, you’ll find three different fabric patterns in this portrait. I designed each of these fabric patterns by myself. My goal for my fabric designs was that they could help me tell a cohesive story with this portrait.

I’ve created a YouTube video to show the process in a video format. To watch this process video, click here: “Chance Meeting Video.”

click to watch video

That’s it.

I hope you enjoyed learning the story behind my latest piece of artwork.

Let me know what you think of this new piece.

Chat soon,
Love

Clara's Signature
Buy prints of Chance Meeting

Click the link above to buy prints of this artwork

Save to your Pinterest board for later

Get behind the scenes and learn more about my art practice, events, exhibitions and release of new artworks


JUST ONE MORE STEP...... Success! Now you need to check your email to confirm your subscription. The subject will be [confirm your subscription] Once you click the link in this confirmation email, you will be on your way to receiving exclusive C-Letters meant for Clara's Friends only. Don't forget to confirm your email. Warmest Regards, Clara

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

I won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit


Also published on Medium.

Comments

  1. Marnie says

    June 15, 2020 at 10:20 am

    What a wonderful story! I can’t wait to hear more of the story. You are a gem. I love the conversation, the effort that is brining unity, and especially community.

    Reply
    • Clara Nartey says

      June 15, 2020 at 11:57 am

      Thanks Marnie for being part of this community and I’m working hard to bring you more artworks and resources for creatives 🙂

      Reply
  2. Therese Stein says

    June 15, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    Have loved your work since I saw it in Quilting Arts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings and it is wonderful that you can also share them with your art. Art speaks to people, sometimes more than words. Hair. Did not realize that hair was still an issue until I read Ijeoma Oluo’s book – So You Want to Talk About Race. I am constantly amazed that the human race has survived this long. What miserable excuses for creatures many of us are. Keep up the good work, you are one of the good ones.

    Reply
    • Clara Nartey says

      June 15, 2020 at 10:59 pm

      Therese, you’ve read You Want to Talk About Race. Awesome 👏. It’s on my reading list. Yes, hair today, is still more than hair. Thanks for your kind words about my art. I appreciate them.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Next »
Return to menu

« Previous

Creativity

Professional Development

Creative Confidence Boost

Thread Sketching Videos

Thread Sketching Techniques

Surface Design

Textile Art Collector

Textile Art Business

 

Let's Connect on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2023 · All images copyrighted by the artist, Clara Nartey,
and are not to be copied or reproduced in any manner.
Privacy Policy|Terms and Condition|Disclaimer

Copyright © 2023 · Aspire Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in