Wendy Owusu quietly explores the rich history of Black hairstyles through the lens of a camera

Hairstyles are never just about hair. For many of us, they are part of our heritage, a sign of where we came from, and of who we want to embody. Wendy Owusu is hoping to demonstrate just that. A recent graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven, Wendy explores themes of her French-Ghanaian heritage through multidisciplinary means. Hidden Heritages, Wendy’s short documentary film project, explores how African hairstyles have been indicative of a variety of social concepts like kinship, religion, and ethnicity.

Not only working with film, Wendy embodies the new generation’s grip on hybrid creativity. The artist and creative also works in textiles in order to create pieces that one can feel and touch. Pieces which embody the innermost parts of her identity which she feels are connected to her African heritage and her family.

While her film work takes on a quiet and meditative form, her clothing line is “crafty”, dynamic and louder. She hopes that by creating art through many forms, she continues to be real with herself, not selling herself short or attempting to pursue something she feels won’t represent her most authentic self.

It’s Nice That: Talk me through the motivations behind Hidden Heritages.

Wendy Owusu: Two years ago, I found out that African hairstyles were used to indicate various social concepts to relate to one’s identity. I developed a strong interest in this topic and looked more into it by doing anthropological research.

I chose hairstyles for the film that were related to the model’s ethnic background. Their hair is the topic and the hairstyles also tell something about their identity. Filming was the best way to show the art of braiding.

Through Hidden Heritages, I hope people will learn how African people have developed innovative ways to identify themselves through centuries and that African hairstyles are protective, aesthetic and exist as traces of our heritages. I also hope that people, especially Black people, will have the curiosity after watching my short film to know more about hair and its meaning in their own culture.

INT: You work in textiles and fashion too, seen in your project From Abena to Gloria. What do you find interesting about working with textiles that you don’t get by working with film?

WO: From Abena to Gloria is a capsule collection where the shapes and patterns of garments were based on my family’s house and my relatives. I used the garments as a way to document my family’s social construct. With textiles, I felt more free to make literal elements such as a picture to create a pattern. For the video, I tried to be really sharp and have clear images but with fabric, I like how it can look really crafty.

I found beauty in the flaws with textile. On each garment, a label is attached and a short description explains how and why it is related to my home. For the labels, I collaborated with a graphic designer and we thought about which type would be the best for it. We also shortened the text so that it could be easily read. I have done a second photoshoot recently where, this time, every item gets to be worn by a model. I directed a team of two photographers, one stylist and several models. On a more technical level, I just enjoy how I can feel, touch and experiment with my hands the shapes, fabrics and inks of textiles.

INT: What's the most important lesson your artistic practice has taught you so far?

I think as a creative it is important to follow your interest and to make sure your work will show how you want to be seen in the industry.

INT: What are you looking forward to doing in the future?

I am organising a small premiere for Hidden Heritages for all the people who helped me (financially, technically, and mentally) for the project and then the film will be exhibited during Dutch Design Week at the end of October. Ideally, I would like to do a second collection for From Abena To Gloria next year and work in Ghana for it.

I also want to continue writing fictional stories for upcoming video projects. I have been writing short stories and essays for a couple of years now and I want to see how to continue by adding video in the mix this time.