This mini collection of three handcrafted pair of boots was inspired by the expressive and spiritual art of African masks, translated to walk the urban street as a statement of female empowerment.
Intentionally ignoring the idealised, western notion of the female body, this work amplifies the leg with an unconventional silhouette. It echos this intricate tribal art, which comes to life through a play on proportions. Enhancing and disfiguring, shapes are simplified and exaggerated. And the idea of body modification is used to deter modern day evil abuse.
This mini collection of three handcrafted pair of boots was inspired by the expressive and spiritual art of African masks, translated to walk the urban street as a statement of female empowerment.
Intentionally ignoring the idealised, western notion of the female body, this work amplifies the leg with an unconventional silhouette. It echos this intricate tribal art, which comes to life through a play on proportions. Enhancing and disfiguring, shapes are simplified and exaggerated. And the idea of body modification is used to deter modern day evil abuse.
This mini collection of three handcrafted pair of boots was inspired by the expressive and spiritual art of African masks, translated to walk the urban street as a statement of female empowerment.
Intentionally ignoring the idealised, western notion of the female body, this work amplifies the leg with an unconventional silhouette. It echos this intricate tribal art, which comes to life through a play on proportions. Enhancing and disfiguring, shapes are simplified and exaggerated. And the idea of body modification is used to deter modern day evil abuse.
This mini collection of three handcrafted pair of boots was inspired by the expressive and spiritual art of African masks, translated to walk the urban street as a statement of female empowerment.
Intentionally ignoring the idealised, western notion of the female body, this work amplifies the leg with an unconventional silhouette. It echos this intricate tribal art, which comes to life through a play on proportions. Enhancing and disfiguring, shapes are simplified and exaggerated. And the idea of body modification is used to deter modern day evil abuse.
This mini collection of three handcrafted pair of boots was inspired by the expressive and spiritual art of African masks, translated to walk the urban street as a statement of female empowerment.
Intentionally ignoring the idealised, western notion of the female body, this work amplifies the leg with an unconventional silhouette. It echos this intricate tribal art, which comes to life through a play on proportions. Enhancing and disfiguring, shapes are simplified and exaggerated. And the idea of body modification is used to deter modern day evil abuse.
The Body - Rallying Cry Collection
Material: leather, suede and hand-dyed lining fabric from Congo / Year: 2020
About the collection:
Inspired by the expressive art of African masks, this mini collection of three handcrafted pair of galoshes boots was commissioned work for an exhibition.
Representing the spirits who control good and evil forces, African masks are used during ritual performances. They deliberately enhance, modify and disfigure the body of the performer. Likewise, this footwear comes to life through a play on proportions, intentionally ignoring the idealised, western notion of the female body.
About this design:
Hence manipulation is a common theme throughout this series of boots. This design in particular explores adornment of the human body. From scarification and perforation to plastic surgery, humanity has embraced many forms of transformation over the ages.
These bodily alterations function as a signal to those around us, either as a display of physiological status or aesthetic preferences. By using wooden piercing tunnels in the boot, combined with multiple types of leather treatment and embellishments, this footwear translates body modification to the urban street, as a statement of female empowerment.
