I'm a Black, queer artist and metalsmith based in Paris, France.
I first began metalsmithing in 2021 by taking courses at a Chicago studio. I quickly realized that working in metal was a calling for me. I started my handmade small batch jewelry business, Metal Petal Jewelry, in February of 2023. After living and working in Chicago for many years, I moved to Paris, France in 2026.
My identity as an African American descendant of enslaved people is foundational to my art practice. My work is influenced by West African design and traditions of wax carving. For me, metalsmithing is not only a way to create adornments, but a cite for research, exploration of, and connection to West African art and culture.
In my work I reinterpret traditional forms to create my own visual language that reflects my experience living in the diaspora. Black and queer futurity are cornerstones of my design practice as I pull from ancestral and contemporary influences to both reclaim my cultural lineage and imagine new possibilities for self-definition and collective liberation.
Thanks for being here - follow me on Instagram @metalpetaljewelry to learn more about my artistic practice.