An egungun is an African ceremonial masquerade garment traditionally worn by the Yoruba peoples of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. It is worn to celebrate the relationships between the living and their ancestors.

I am fascinated by the beauty, design, and symbolism of egunguns. Their construction inspired me to create altars of fabric using a feathering technique. I layer quilted strips of fabric embellished with stitching, images, buttons, beads, and cultural adornments on a quilted foundation. My altars of fabric honor African American men and women whose stories add texture and color to our collective history.