My initial thoughts and expectations of a residency was massive production of works in a studio. With all this in mind, it seemed tough but as the residency progressed, it became an amazing and simple experience. My first day foresaw me carrying some of my marquette works in progress to my studio for further art interaction and concept building. I was whelmed by the studio visits from the 32° East family, which greatly informed my practice, through further insight given on conducting more research which became the gist of my residency.

I was able to make great use of the 32° East library through personal searches as well as put into consideration the recommended books during my studio visits. I grew fond of mainly two books; Contemporary African art by Sidney Littlefield and African Cultures, Visual Arts, and the Museum by Tobias Doring. From these books, alongside the environment I’ve been nurtured in, I managed to strengthen and improve on my concept building skill.

This research led me on a journey to Mbuya where I interacted with the indigenous weaving community particularly two families that collectively hosted fellow artisans for the process of basketry weaving using an indigenous material whose origin was familiar to that of palm leaves.

First, they took me through its challenging harvesting process, where they used more of oral tradition since the material sprouts more in the rural areas. After that, they educated me on how to handle it as well as the indigenous techniques employed like twinning, curving, cutting, bending, twisting, to mention but a few. Later on, they took me through its colouring process which was helpful for my practice because I like to use natural colour tonal variations as well as textures.