Fios da Ancestralidade

Origins Rooted

Tracing ancestral paths through migration

Territory Map

697 Hilltop Street, Springfield, MA, USA

Flow Lines

9am – 6pm

Roots Deep

Tracing the journeys and stories woven by black trancistas across lands.

A collage of torn and overlapping posters featuring various colors, fonts, and partial text fragments. The layers reveal bits of images and words such as 'TRAV', 'STREET', and others, creating a textured and chaotic visual effect.
A close-up of a person with long, intricately braided hair adorned with metallic beads. The person's hands are clasped together near their face, displaying multiple rings with intricate designs. The expression is contemplative and focused.
A yellow wall features a white street sign with 'Travessa Teixeira Junior' written on it. Below, there's a green brain sculpture adjacent to black curved lines resembling a Wi-Fi signal. Next to it, a colorful piece of art depicts a woman whose face is overlaid with floral and leaf patterns, framed by blue and green decorative tiles. At the bottom left, part of an air conditioning unit is visible.
A collage of black-and-white photographs, text, and artwork pinned to a wall. The centerpiece features a quote by Zora Neale Hurston overlaid on a floral background. Nearby are various clippings, including images of a person holding a guitar and abstract text art with phrases like 'AND OH, MY TONGUE IS A WEAPON.'
An intricate black and white drawing of a tree with human-like features. The trunk resembles a woman's body, transitioning into branches as arms and a leafy canopy forming the head and hair. Detailed patterns, including flowers and a peace sign, adorn the trunk.
A black and white image displays a wall with various graffiti and murals. The prominent message reads 'TRANS LIVES MATTER' with illustrations of individuals labeled 'Marsha,' 'Tony,' and 'Dominique.' The surface is wet with rain droplets visible on the camera lens, adding a textured effect. Other writings can be seen on the wall, emphasizing messages of empowerment and social justice.

Origins Speak

A textured artwork featuring horizontal bands with abstract patterns. The colors primarily range from deep reds to black, with speckled and splattered designs creating a dynamic visual effect. Handwritten text in red ink is visible at the top, mentioning 'TEXTILES 2A: PRINT & VIRTUAL VESSELS (projects) Thomas Kasterine', surrounded by numeric data sequences that appear to be part of an analytical or mathematical context.

Unequal Grounds

Marking the neighborhoods where trancistas thrive, despite historic segregation and limited resources.

Bright neon pink text is arranged against a dark background, spelling out the phrase 'Foi bom pra você?' in a vertical stack. The vivid color contrasts sharply with the dark surroundings, creating a striking and modern visual.

Flowing Ties

Tracing the internal migrations that shape where and how trancistas build their craft.

Numerous arrows are suspended in the air, pointing in various directions, creating a dynamic and visually striking pattern. The background appears to be wooden panels that contrast with the light-colored arrows.

Embody Maps

Visualizing how bodies and territories intertwine through the work of hair braiding.

A black and white graphic artwork features a portrait of a person with a complex overlay of patterns and text. The image includes linear and textual elements, creating a textured effect on the face. The background is a plain wall, emphasizing the intricate design.

Living Threads

Highlighting how trancistas’ craft sustains cultural wealth and economic presence today.