Pattern, Symbol & Interpretation

Pattern is a language. Across African cultures, motifs and markings have long been used to communicate identity, status, belief, and belonging.

The designs used in Skulls Ke pieces draw from this visual heritage without attempting direct replication. Patterns are referenced, interpreted, and reworked rather than copied. This allows the work to remain contemporary while still acknowledging cultural influence.

Beadwork and paint are applied with attention to rhythm, repetition, and balance. Some patterns are structured; others evolve intuitively during the making process. This flexibility keeps each piece responsive rather than fixed.

The result is not a symbolic translation, but an artistic one — work that suggests lineage and meaning without claiming ownership of specific traditions.

Interpretation, rather than imitation, remains central to the practice.