Saturday, November 28, 2009

Gourd Figure Creation


Figure, Sister Sarah, made of gourd, paper, wood, fabric, wire, beads, feathers, rhinestone brooch, and silk flowers. Measurements: 13 x 12 x 12 inches. 2004.
Figure creation by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2004 and 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Gourd Jewelry Creation



Ring, Polonia, made of gourd, fabric and beads. Measurements: 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/8 inches. Size: 11. 2008.
Ring design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2008 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Gourd Jewelry Creation


Bracelet, They Call Her Ms. Diva, made of gourd, wood and paperclay. Measurements: 4 3/4 x 2 x 4 3/8 inches. 2009.


Bracelet design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Playing an Africanism Forward

Af-ri-can-ism. A characteristically African cultural feature, such as a belief, custom or linguistic feature. Source: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Africanism.

From the first gourd workshop I took back in the 1980s, I have felt an affinity with gourds. Gourd crafting answers a longing to be connected to the stream of black culture and historic consciousness. Simply put, creating art with gourds makes me feel whole.

When I reference gourds, I always speak of them as female. In John Storm Roberts' book, Black Music of Two Worlds: African, Caribbean, Latin, and African-American Traditions, he states that "another intriguing Africanism in New World drums is that percussion instruments are often given sexual attributes. Not only are whole classes of instruments seen as male or female (drum = male, calabash percussion = female, for example)." Subconsciously, I am carrying an Africanism forward. The soul never forgets!

Gourd 101: Is it a Gourd or Calabash?











The words gourd and calabash are often used interchangeably. Both can be defined as a "hard-shell durable fruit grown for ornament, utensils and general interest" (L.H. Bailey, Garden of Gourds, 1937). But are they the same or different? Well, the gourd (photo above left) is native to the continent of Africa and grows on a vine. The calabash (photo above right) is indigenous to tropical America and grows on a tree.

Photo of gourd by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved. Photo of calabash found at http://consejo.bz/belize/bushmedicine.html.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Traveler's Companion: The Gourd Canteen

As a museum assistant at the Wells Fargo History Museum, San Diego, CA, I have written a blog entitled, Traveler's Companion: The Gourd Canteen. Learn a little about stagecoach travel in the 1880s and how to make your own gourd canteen. Read my blog at blog.wellsfargo.com/GuidedByHistory.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Sala Faruq

Inside the Artisan's Studio takes a look at the creative process of artists and craftspeople. A different artist is featured each week. Read my profile at archdiva.blogspot.com.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Gourd Jewelry Creation


Ring, Isis, made of gourd, wood, silver and glass. Measurements: 2 1/8 x 5/8 x 1 3/4 inches. Size: 5. 2007.


Ring design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2007 and 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.