This work was a part of a project aimed at reimagining Jamaica’s National Heroine, Queen Nanny of the Maroons. 

“The “Reimagining Nanny: Her Sword – A Seed” 2022 Project seeks a retelling of the story of Nanny, national heroine of Jamaica, in keeping with Queen Nanny’s broader significant real and symbolic roles as a shaman of the forests, healer, priestess and protector of the springs and watersheds, and commander of energies of the earth, creatures, mountains and valleys of the Blue and John Crow Mountains of Jamaica.”

Moonlight Meditations of Mama Nanny was permanently installed in the Institute of Jamaica.

Watercolor, Pen & Ink using water from the Rio Grande River on Canvas, 72 x 72 inches.

Since the birth of the grove, before egrets carried stories, before the cotton tree sapling saw moonlight and before the Night Ladies walked among us, the River was an ever present spirit of the realm. Spirits of the trees and Night were drawn to her Living Water and often times left offerings to show respect. However it was under the waning Red Moon that the River gave birth to herself as she became form and emerged between the banks hairless and blue. Her body half woman, half Crocodile, she was the Mother of the River, but we call her River Mumma. As the moonlight struck her head, Night grew from her crown as a manifestation of 21 blooming Cereus and River Mumma became the walking River but even this was not her true form.

River Mumma II has been acquired by the International African American Museum in Charleston.

Watercolor, Pen and Ink, Acrylic, Water from The Salt River, Rio Grande and Benta River in Jamaica. 39 x 50 inches

Twenty one days it was since her presence was felt in the grove and the veil was dissolved.

She was out looking for coconuts when a Night lady took her to the great Cotton Tree and as she sat at its roots, the Day suddenly became Night, and the Sun, a blood red crescent. She had crossed over as the Night chose her to learn its prayers.

Twenty one days it had been since ancestors came and taught her songs and fireflies shared their messages. Twenty one days since her body and spirit were two and while spirit became one with the Night, body hung upside down like a cotton pod on the great Ceiba tree.

Some time during this ceremony the Night blessed the ritual with seven cereus and when she returned to the overworld she became the Queen of the Night and Kumina.

Watercolor, Pen & Ink, Pearls and Trimmings, Acrylic, Water from Mayfield River Falls, Jamaica on Canvas. 36 x 62 ½ inches