Trickster
Steel and Glass, 2023
Concept and Design by Roisin Jones
Glasswork by Jon Lewis
Metalwork by Sam Nicholson
Trickster is a sculpture that embodies the essence of Anansi the spider, a character renowned in West African and Caribbean folklore for its wit, wisdom, and storytelling prowess. Crafted from glass and steel, this artwork serves as a conduit for transporting rich narratives across time, space, and reality, standing as a powerful symbol of the transformative and boundary-crossing nature of art.
Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of West African and Caribbean folk stories, the sculpture illuminates forgotten histories and reshapes our understanding of shared human experiences. Anansi, the spider, emerges as a unifying symbol that transcends time and geography, representing the resilience and wisdom inherent in the collective Diasporic narratives, providing a transformative lens through which to view the world.
Trickster, 2023
Steel and Glass
The spider, a delicate craftsmanship of steel and glass, boasts a transparent body infused with subtle purple hues.These colors and materials create an ethereal quality, emphasizing the intricate and fragile beauty of the sculpture. The use of glass and steel not only highlights the spider's delicate and design but also reflects the duality of strength and fragility inherent in the art of storytelling and myth-making.
This sculpture stands as a testament to the enduring power of stories and their ability to transcend physical and temporal boundaries, much like Anansi himself.
The making of this artwork was inspired by Black Cultural Archives' (BCA, London, UK) "Transforming Legacies" exhibition which offered an exploration into Black history, heritage, and identity, emphasizing the significance of reclaiming forgotten narratives through art and cultural expressions.
