In this portrait, an Afrofuturistic griot (storyteller) is holding a golden pendant representing the universe as she tells the story of creation passed down by the Dogon of Mali. Behind her are golden stars with Sirius being the largest and brightest. Some elements of the Dogon mythology are reminiscent of ancient Egypt, including the prominence of Sirius in their traditions. Anthropological researchers in the early 1900s were were impressed and perplexed by the Dogon’s unexplainable knowledge of modern astronomy. Since then there has been a mix of belief and disbelief in the possibility of the Dogon’s knowledge of astronomical bodies.

Created: 2021

Size: 30” x 40”

Materials: Mixed Media - charcoal, acrylic, ink, decorative papers