Artist Murjoni Merriweather Incorporates Natural Hair Into Ceramic Sculpture

Most of us grew up seeing African inspired sculptures in our aunties’ and grandmothers’ homes, but none of those sculptures look quite like 19 year old artist Murjoni Merriweather’s ceramic sculptures of women and men with African American hair styles. According to The Dark Room, Merriweather is a sophomore at Maryland Institute College of Art and she incorporates cornrows, afro puffs, braids, and locs into her work. Growing up in a black community, Merriweather centers her artwork around her culture.

In addition to her earth-toned, curvaceous female sculptures, Merriweather also creates male sculptures with an angular build. All of her sculptures are finished in earth tones to portray the variety in skin tone among African Americans. Her inspiration comes from friends and women she encounters daily.

“I feel as though just letting your hair grow naturally is…empowering…because you’re accepting yourself for who you are and how you were born.” Murjoni Merriweather – The Dark Room (Baltimore Sun)

Merriweather’s work puts a fresh spin on African American inspired art and truly represents how today’s natural hair community appears.

What do you think of Merriweather’s work?