Anna in Bashment Coat by Vusi

Abstract

The illustration is of my design for a 'Bashment' (reggae dancehall scene) coat made from a traditional African funerary fabric. Exploring the concept of an 'African Coat' i.e. a coat designed around politically African principles and the relationship between contemporary Diasporan African culture (the Bashment scene) and more traditional African design (the funerary fabric). The use of digital illustration facilitates the use of drawing for design and illustration in a non-European cultural context where drawing would otherwise not play a part and where the freedom to work in a subjective, irrational manner is important.
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