A Struggle’s Child

A struggle’s Child served as the genesis for the series Poppa Said Girls Don’t Play With Guns. Lakea uses bullet casings as an emblem of trauma and protection, creating a facial shield reminiscent of a medieval knight’s armor. Each bullet casing is pressed, distorting its shape, and then individually pierced using a hammer and awl. Finally, Lakea weaves red thread through each casing’s hole, affixing them to the mask.

This mask is from the artist’s series Poppa Said Girls Don’t Play With Guns, which explores forms of protection and infuses Southern, African-American, and African craft traditions. It is part of a diptych along with Acuity’s Child.