Reflecting on Resilience: My Stained Glass Tribute to Daily Life in Africa

As an artist, I often seek inspiration from the everyday stories of people and their cultures. My latest stained glass artwork draws from a deeply impactful narrative of resilience and routine from Africa. It portrays a woman scaling fish, a routine chore necessary for preparing a family meal. This scene highlights a daily reality for many women in parts of Africa, a reality far removed from the conveniences we often take for granted here in the United States.

In creating this piece, I was moved by the contrast between the daily life depicted in my artwork and our own experiences with food preparation. Here, we can effortlessly purchase pre-cleaned and prepped meats from stores like Costco, sparing us the time and the physical labor involved in meal preparation. In contrast, the woman in my artwork represents countless individuals who must navigate the absence of essential utilities like refrigeration or reliable electricity. This means daily trips to the market are not just routine—they are crucial. These women select and prepare fish, ensuring that everything is ready before lunch, when children come home from school, and, in many households, when men briefly return from work to eat before heading back.

This process is time-consuming and a testament to the resilience and strength required to manage these daily demands. 

Creating this artwork was a journey of appreciation and understanding. It reminds us of the challenges faced by people in various parts of the world and pays tribute to their indomitable spirit. 

As the artist behind this piece, I hope to encourage viewers to reflect on the conveniences we often overlook and foster a deeper appreciation for the diverse ways in which people around the world manage their daily lives.

My artwork aims to honor this strength and resilience.