ASYA SHINE Soul Sisters | Kanekalon braiding hair, natural wheat | 2021

“Soul Sisters showcases the complex pattern of braiding formed by the intertwining of multiple strands of human and
plant fiber. In plant species this pattern is physically replicated in structure, shape, and other geometric variations.
In the human population, braiding interweaves a wide range of similar physical and social relationships: it expresses
individuality, represents heritage, and serves as a reminder of the resiliency of the Black community. The work touches
on themes of biomimicry, diversity, and adaptation. Functioning as more than a tool for hair care, hair braiding interweaved
a range of functions throughout Black history. During slavery, hair braiding became a navigation tool and means to store food.
Braids were used to map escape routes, for instance, the number of plaits worn could indicate travel distances and meeting
locations. The coarseness of afro-hair made it a frequent place to store food, so women often braided grains and seeds into
their children’s hair before separation.

To create the two pieces, 50-inch-long Kanekalon braiding hair was braided to a length of 30 feet each. This required taking
the additional strips of braiding hair and folding it in half into the shaft of the braid. Pieces of the natural wheat fiber are
braided into these 30-foot-long braids, some hidden, and some revealed. The braids are then adhered continuously to the
canvas, mimicking trails of various maps, to represent how braids served as navigation tools.”
-Asya Shine

Asya Shine is an interdisciplinary artist based in Columbus, Ohio. An Ohio State alumnus, Shine holds two degrees in Architecture
and currently practices at a firm that specializes in multi-family housing. As a practicing architectural designer, Shine’s work seeks
to investigate the connections between art, space, and identity. Through a combination of mediums, Shine is heavily inspired by the
cultural and social effects of the African Diaspora, as they pertain to individual expression, resilience, and community building.