We are loving these photos from artist Nakeya Brown’s Hair Stories Untold series. And an objective of the series, according to Brown, is to invoke memories
I wanted to look at the different ways in which we visualize group identity. Through womanhood, through process and rituals, and through the practice of doing and handling one’s hair. There is identity within that, collective memory and group identity. I’m also very interested in working with objects and cultural artifacts, the tools of our labor, the tools of managing our hair a certain way and bringing these parts together: The figure, the body and the object.
You can see more of Brown’s beautiful work here.
Photo title: The Art of Sealing Ends, Part 2
Photo title: Hot Comb and Mitten
Photo title: Before I Lay Me Down To Sleep
Photo title: The Art of Sealing Ends
Photo title: Shower Crown Royal
Photo title: The Art of Drying
Ladies, which photo was most nostalgic to you?
5 Responses
The picture of the hot comb and stove made me cringe from terrible memories. However, her work is great!
A caddy filled with barrettes, ribbons, various combs and brushes, a butter knife to open that tin can of Hair-Rep, Saturday nights sitting on a hassock, holding up that can of Hair-Rep for moms as she pressed my hair, while listening to gospel music on the radio from either Ernie’s Record Mart in Nashville, or Randy’s Records in Memphis.
Burning the ends of the braids… so much of my childhood lol
ROFLMBO! I have memories of all with the exception of hanging up your weave. I tried it once and didn’t like it, so I didn’t care to be that careful with it.
hot comb, blue magic hair grease, and ouch!