Monotypes

I spent over 20 years making work that focused on gun violence made against Black people, while, making sense of who I am, and where I come from. After the 2020 George Floyd masacre, where practically the world could see it happen, I decided to make a shift in my practice. My new monotypes are part of a new journey to self-discovery and enlightenment, via using icons of my origin, from the perspective of my origin–my source. With that shift, I decided to concentrate on work that affirms my existence. This is part of an exploration, using icons, Adinkra symbols from Ghana that encapsulate evocative messages conveying traditional wisdom, aspects of life, or the environment.  

The monotypes reflect my journey to seek my roots, where I come from. I, like many Africans born in America have little, to no recollection of our origins, without searching for them.

These limited edition prints were produced while participating in a year long printmaking residency with Master Printmaker Paul Mullowney at Mullowney Printing Company , Portland, Oregon.

Willie – 2023