Voodoo Dolls

Cypress branches, cloth, embroidery floss, yarn, oyster shells

Roughly 9 x 6 in

2018

After my trip to New Orleans, I became fascinated with the Voodoo culture that is present and was inspired to create my own Voodoo dolls. I thought of the Nkisi nkondi figures[i] where the Congolese would create sculptured figures to trap spirits. When they needed to call upon that spirit, they would hammer a peg or a nail into the figure. Surprisingly, Kongo traditions such as those of the nkisi nkondi have survived over the centuries and migrated to the Americas and the Caribbean. These figures have morphed into objects of superstition such as New Orleans voodoo dolls covered with stick pin.

The first doll I created is wrapped with red yarn and is wearing a headscarf and dress made from colorful celestial fabric. The second is wrapped in blue yarn and has a skirt made from the yarn. The doll also has a necklace and belt made from gold thread and oyster shells. The last is wrapped with strips of black material, looking more menacing than the other two. As I was creating these dolls, I made stories about them: an all-powerful priestess, an ocean spirit, a sinister spirit, giving importance to something mundane. ­­­ I was “transforming” these dolls into something with power and meaning. Voodoo dolls are known for binding to a person and creating havoc on their lives. The dolls that I have created have a different meaning: to be playful rather than evil.