Fish Dreams, 2023, Thesis, East Carolina University
Artwork images by Briana Nicole Earl - @tinyartistdesk
In my family, when women dream of fish, it symbolizes that a family member or close friend is pregnant. Based on our cultural background as African Americans, our interpretation of our dreams is how we share and pass down stories within our traditions. My aim for this research and creative activity is to bring my voice as an African American woman into the conversation of dream research, which at times is not only dominated by a white male perspective but a white male perspective occupying space in the discussion of African American dream analysis. This series of artwork contains sculptural assemblages and woven textiles that express different imagery of the fish dream. The artworks are based on interviews with the matriarchs of my family that have experienced fish dreams: Sirena Manuel (mother), Elecia Satterfield (aunt), and Bernice Graves (grandmother). Interviewing my family, allows me to document the oral history of their experiences with the fish dream.
Bowfin / Blackfish from River Park North in Greenville, NC. Each fish casting in this series is replicated from this fish.
Dream fish, 48" x 18" x 18", repurposed metal, repurposed carbon fiber, spray foam, enamel, spray paint, 2021
Fish Pool, 14" x 38", x 75", repurposed carbon fiber, paint, tufted yarn, plaster, 2021
Dream Fish II, 35" x 15" x 66", repurposed carbon fiber, repurposed metal, paint, plaster, 2022
Dreaming of Fish (II), 32" x 42", handwoven on TC@ loom, cotton, 2023
Mama's Fish Dream, 20.5" x 21.5" x 44", repurposed steel, tufted yarn, spray foam casting, paint, 2022
My Grandmothers Fish Dream Catch, 32" x 40", handwoven on TC2 loom, cotton, 2023
My Grandmothers Dream Catch II, 40" x 25" x 29.5", plexiglass, spray foam, tufted yarn, fish stringer, 2022
Caviar, Handwoven on TC@ Loom, 32" x 28", 2023
Aunt Elecia's Fish Dream, 8" x 17.5" x 31", plexiglass, spray foam casting, resin, 2022
Fish Table: Who's Pregnant?, 42.5" x 44.5" x 53", plexiglass, fishing bobbers, resin, repurposed steel, spray foam castings, 2022
Dream Womb, 74" x 64" x 60", repurposed tires, steel, printed fabric, tufted rug, plexiglass, fishing bobbers, paint, poetry, 2023
Fishing Dream: Outdoor Sculpture, recycled steel, enamel, 74" x 43.5" x 32", 2023, Poem in Collaboration with Kyra Bynum-Pattillo
Grandads Catch, Handwoven on TC2 Loom, 2022