Adlena Scott
Wodaabe Tengaade
Class of: 2028
Major: Illustration BFA
Medium: Felt, Wood, Pipe Cleaners, Thread, and Cowrie Shells
Faculty: Aviva Maya Shulem
Prompt: Students will create a wearable art piece inspired by the body art traditions of a chosen culture. This project uses linear and planar materials to emphasize structural design and explores cultural significance through contemporary wearable design. Students must demonstrate technical knowledge of mechanical connections while honoring the aesthetic and symbolic elements of their chosen cultural inspiration.
With emphasis on the fluidity of gender roles among the Fulani people, I sought to create a staple accessory that grants the wearer a bold silhouette, somewhat mirroring the practice of body modification common among the Fula. Relying solely on materials I had at my disposal, I grabbed a set of leftover wire, curving the edges to define the structure of the brim. I then wrapped black pipe cleaners around said curvature to hide the naked wire. The crown of the hat are sheets of felt sewn together to form a cone, and the rest of miscellaneous details are simple mechanical connections done with thread and toothpicks, angled to represent geometric motifs. The creation of this piece is my way of paying homage to the creatively enriched communities of West and East Africa that have embraced upcycling as a means of survival and self-expression.