CAY (Island) - Talisman Painting

3x3

Black and gold ink.

Each 3x3 painting in this series has a Taíno word and its translation on the back. Each word has been documented as part of the Taíno dictionary, an ever-evolving project that hopes to preserve as much of Taíno culture as possible. I love being able to use these words in my work to reclaim my heritage and bring awareness to something there is so little information about.

Every time a word for land, plant, or water is spoken or held in your mind or the tip or your tongue, it’s not just language, it’s ceremony, memory, and survival. One small way for us to start building a stronger relationship with nature and to reclaim a history that foreign invaders tried to wipe out. These talismans are little reminders that lead us to make more of that personal connection with nature every single day.