In the folds of fabric, I found a map of the human spirit: woven histories, hands at work, and the pulse of creativity. Textiles are not mere adornments but vessels of expression and cultural dialogue. In Sierra Leone, I saw how these materials became living bridges, their patterns carrying both collective memory and individual story.
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A Limited Edition Photographic Book exploring Sierra Leone through the lens of textiles, through the eyes of an artist
272 pages · Coffee Table Hardcover · Limited Edition Art Book · 1,000 copies
Preorder price $380 (regular $500)
Every book sold supports Shine On Sierra Leone & Muddy Lotus School
Fabrics of Humanity is my first photo book, made possible thanks to Tiffany Persons and the Shine On Sierra Leone organization, who invited me to experience the depth, creativity, and vitality of their communities. This book reflects my time in Sierra Leone, seen through my eyes as an artist and a guest, guided by a desire to observe, to listen, to learn, and, in return, to share and co-create.
Fabrics of Humanity isn’t just a book about textiles; it’s about what they mean, how they shape us, and how we, in turn, shape them.
These photographs are here to encourage and inspire us to look a little closer at the fabrics in our lives, to see the stories, the symbols, and the identities woven into every thread.
Every book carries impact. A portion of each sale will go directly to Shine On Sierra Leone, giving Tiffany’s school and organization support .
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Artist, The Origin StoryDestiny is shaped by the choices we make and the people we meet. In 2019, when Tiffany walked into my life and connected with my art, it felt as though fate had arrived. At the time, I was just beginning to explore my sculptural photographic practice, creating my earliest textile-frame portrait photographs. Tiffany spoke of Shine on Sierra Leone, her organization dedicated to supporting communities through education, sustainability, and cultural preservation. Her deep relationships with weavers and artisans in Sierra Leone sparked an idea of a collaborative exploration of these textiles with the people who made them.
Tiffany invited me to join her and a group of creatives on their next trip to Sierra Leone, and I eagerly accepted. I was excited not only to witness her work firsthand but to contribute my photographic practice to this exchange. I saw the camera not as a tool to hide behind, but as a means of connection, trusting that the people and their stories would find me and unfold naturally.
The images I captured during that time were powerful, but as I began to envision creating something meaningful from this work, the world shifted. The onset of COVID-19 halted travel and redirected priorities. My project was put on hold, and what had once felt urgent became distant. By 2022 and 2023, the images began to haunt me. I realized I needed to bring this project to life, and so I started taking the necessary steps. This being my first book, the journey required both vision and perseverance. I eventually found the right people to help bring the project to fruition, shaping it into something that would immortalize this experience.
Time, rather than diminishing the work, gave me clarity. It allowed me to step back and understand the complexity of my role as an outsider coming into a new place. I’ve become more aware, more sensitive to the subtleties of the experience. What once felt like an urgent burst of energy has, over time, transformed into something rooted, deepened by reflection and guided by the dialogue between past and present. This is the story of how this project was created, how it found its voice, and how it continues to evolve alongside me.
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Founder, Shine on Sierra Leone
Shine On Sierra Leone, founded by Tiffany Persons, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable development in Sierra Leone. The organization focuses on education, healthcare, and community empowerment, with initiatives that have transformed countless lives.
From building schools like the Muddy Lotus Primary to launching programs in adult literacy, micro-lending, and maternal health, Shine On Sierra Leone empowers communities with tools for long-term self-sufficiency. The organization also provides clean water solutions, computer literacy training, and holistic education to nurture well-being and resilience.
Tiffany Persons, a filmmaker and humanitarian, was initially drawn to Sierra Leone while working on a documentary about the blood diamond crisis. Her profound connection to the country deepened when she discovered her ancestral roots trace back to the region, fueling her lifelong commitment to the people and their future.
PREORDER
PREORDER
A Limited Edition Photographic Book exploring Sierra Leone through the lens of textiles, through the eyes of an artist
272 pages · Coffee Table Hardcover · Limited Edition Art Book · 1,000 copies
Preorder price $380 (regular $500)
Every book sold supports Shine On Sierra Leone & Muddy Lotus School
