Artist Statement

"Mama, Where Do Babies Come From?"

My deep interest and fascination in my culture, traditions, and artists Mia Pearlman, Kara Walker, and James Turrell inspired my piece's choice, technique, and design. It represents a short myth parents tell their children in my country Kenya when asked where babies came from, allowing them to use their imagination. This question was also frequently answered by the mother, thus my use of a mother figure in my piece. Therefore, my capstone exhibits my imaginative depiction of a myth told when I was young.

            I want my piece to be an inspiration to others to desire to know and understand other people's cultural personalities, for it may help understand them more as individuals. I hope my piece will help the audience understand a part of me as an artist and how the environment I grew up in has influenced my work and imagination.

​

Moreover, I chose to incorporate sound from a different country and continent to express my appreciation and importance of my Communications minor. Communications has taught me the importance of intercultural interaction that allows us to understand and appreciate our similarities and differences. In this case, the night sounds in Ecuador Forests are very similar to those back in Kenya. Therefore, if I were in Ecuador, this aspect would make me feel at home.

​

Video Sound Credits: Kit, Sounds. “Forest Animal Sounds at Night, Evening Insect Rhythms - Ecuador Forests.” YouTube, February 19, 2021. https://youtu.be/2KOj-5LaMg4. 

​