Explore the Rich Cultural Heritage of African Braiding

​Nina's work explores the transformative power of African hair braiding as a medium for cultural expression, creativity, and social critique. Her practice is based on a strong awareness of braiding's historical and contemporary significance, emphasising its position as a marker of identity, a method of resistance, and a medium for narrative among African and diasporic communities. Nina's project aims to reclaim and honour the rich heritage buried in historically braided traditions while also questioning superficial trends and cultural appropriation, which frequently misrepresent or remove their original meaning. Braiding, as both an ancestral tradition and a contemporary artistic form, contains intricate layers of symbolism, history, and evolution. For decades, African societies used braids to express social rank, a connection to another, age, marital status, and spiritual beliefs. These traditions have lasted and been modified in the diaspora, acting as instruments for resilience and political expression, undermining Eurocentric beauty standards and reinforcing Black identity in the face of systemic erasure. Nina's work honours these traditions by combining traditional techniques and turning them into sculptural shapes that elevate braiding to the level of artwork. Her sculptural braided pieces are inspired by highly personal experiences from 4 Black models, ranging from childhood recollections of sitting between a mother's legs while stories were told and hair was braided to moments of self-discovery and self-love achieved via hair experimentation. Each braid transforms into a style line that tells stories of heritage, pride, and transformation. Nina creates braid styles as a powerful artistic discipline by using symbolic adornments, uncommon materials, and innovative forms. Her work combines heritage with current elements, including editorial fashion, digital culture, and Afrofuturism, resulting in a visual dialogue between the past, present, and projected futures. She uses in-depth research and hands-on experimentation to treat hair as a sculpting material, alive with meaning and movement. In a society where Black hairstyles have long been marginalised, politicised, or appropriated, Nina's art demonstrates the resilience, creativity, and cultural brilliance of African braiding traditions. Her concept encourages viewers to go beyond surface-level appreciation and explore the deeper themes of braids. It promotes serious discussion on cultural ownership, creative authenticity, and the power of hair for personal and political expression. Nina's approach is ultimately about history, community, identity, and invention, rather than just hairstyling. She hopes that her sculptural braids and visual narrative will magnify the voices of those who have long utilised braiding as a form of resistance, self-definition, and cultural pride, while also encouraging a newfound appreciation for the creativity and relevance of African hair traditions.