ZAWADI is a mixed media artwork layered with augmented reality, offering an immersive experience that bridges the physical and digital realms. As part of the Layered Onion series, this multi-faceted piece celebrates the intersection of African women, AI, and technology. Designed to captivate viewers with its visual depth, vibrant imagery, and compelling narrative, ZAWADI unfolds across three distinct yet interconnected layers. Each layer invites exploration, revealing new dimensions of storytelling and artistic expression.
At its core, ZAWADI resides within a gaming computer, symbolizing the dynamic synergy between technology and creativity. The piece highlights the intricate layers of the computer’s functionality, bringing ZAWADI to life through the harmonious interplay of art, innovation, and cultural identity.
To create this piece, I illustrated Zawadi using Procreate, carefully crafting her details and expression to bring the vision to life. Once the illustration was finalized, I printed it on Forex board, ensuring durability and a smooth finish that would complement the overall aesthetic of the artwork. This process allowed me to blend digital illustration with physical materials, creating a striking and tangible final piece.
And then, I wanted to incorporate cogs into the design, so I turned to MidJourney to generate them. My prompt was: "Illustration of an African-inspired cog against a white background." The AI produced a single cog, which I then replicated in different sizes to create the layered, dynamic effect I envisioned for the background.
Once the pattern was finalized, it was printed on Forex board and carefully cut into individual cogs. This approach allowed me to merge digital design with physical craftsmanship, adding depth and a unique mechanical yet cultural aesthetic to the final piece.
Next, I used MidJourney to generate a black and white digital outline that would serve as a key element in the artwork. My prompt was:
"A perfectly symmetrical upper body digital outline of an African AI woman in a headwrap and motherboard-type jewelry, wearing light-blocking glasses. Show full shoulders. Her face is looking directly into the camera. White background with a motherboard outline. 8K resolution. Black lines."
Once I had the image, I took it into Photoshop and edited it to resemble an illuminated motherboard, symbolizing the flow of information within the artwork. This transformation gave the piece a futuristic, tech-inspired aesthetic while maintaining its African cultural essence, blending tradition with innovation in a striking visual representation.
To represent my Kenyan roots, I decided that the background of my artwork would be leso-inspired, incorporating the vibrant patterns and symbolism often found in traditional East African textiles. This choice not only added cultural depth but also created a strong visual connection to heritage and identity.
To further layer meaning into the piece, I downloaded news headlines from Google and imposed them onto the artwork using Photoshop, embedding contemporary narratives into the visual storytelling. These headlines reflected real-life events, conversations, and struggles, tying the piece to the present moment.
For the final touch, I selected a quote from the Afrofeminism Manifesto prepared by Pollicy, the clients for this art installation. The quote served as a powerful statement within the artwork, reinforcing themes of empowerment, digital activism, and the intersection of technology, culture, and gender. This fusion of elements—tradition, media, and activism—made the final piece a bold reflection of identity, history, and the evolving role of African women in digital spaces.
I wanted to encase the entire artwork in a computer gaming case—complete with lights, hardware, and interactive elements to give it a futuristic, tech-inspired feel. The idea was to blend digital aesthetics with fine art, making the piece not just something to be viewed but experienced.
We fabricated the case from scratch (this is a long story—buy me drinks, and I’ll tell you exactly what it took to pull this off!). To enhance the effect, we installed LED strip lights, adding an immersive glow that emphasized the motherboard-inspired design. We also integrated a working computer fan, not just for aesthetics but to create an interactive, almost lifelike presence in the piece—bringing the fusion of technology, identity, and Afrofuturism to life.
The result was something similar to a custom-built gaming rig, but instead of running software, it housed an art installation that pulsed with light, movement, and layered meaning.
This was the final art piece—a fusion of digital art, Kenyan cultural elements, and immersive technology. To take the installation even further, we created a video with sound of Zawadi, transforming the static artwork into an interactive experience.
Using MediaAR software by BlackRhino, we augmented the piece, allowing viewers to engage with it beyond just sight. If you downloaded the app and pointed it at the installation, Zawadi would come to life and talk to you, adding a layer of storytelling and interactivity.
We showcased this installation at MOZFEST, a global festival run by Mozilla Foundation, where it became one of the festival’s highlights. The fusion of art, technology, and Afrofuturism made it a truly unique piece, bridging the gap between physical and digital art in a way that resonated with audiences.
Just me and Zawadi chilling at MozFest.
