I am writing this endorsement to Dina & Michael Weiss collection site, presenting the fruits of a 15 years journey with a great sense of pride but also with apprehension. On one hand I am proud that the beauty and stature of my forefathers art will be shared with the world. Some of the works presented here were created by Baga masters which were my father’s bigger brothers ( a term we use for respect & fidelity rather then direct family line ), these artists guidance and everyday presence is part of me, their works were created for a complete different audience then the one meeting them today.They were conceived to serve their community, to act as a conduit between us and our ancestors, our history and most important between us as individuals and the guardian spirits. And as such they protected and held our community intact and were responsible for it’s members well-being.Today this world is long gone.more then a decade ago I was introduced to architect Michael Weiss and since then guided him in his journey. Michael proved to be a quick student with an inquisitive eye accompanied by a craftsman hand. gradually his sense of mission in gathering and documenting the last echoes of our ancestors footprints evolved. and I proudly joined his various endeavors, such as recording the Baga fables which I joyfully illustrated. And documenting the histories of the Masters who stood behind our ancestors images. I hope that this site will shed light on our heritage, and will enable a wider audience’s to transcend cultural barriers and understand the beauty, wisdom, moral and faith embedded in each of them.Nkai Sidime
Guinea, Conakry. to the groups →