Interview with Douriean Fletcher: “Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture” at Walters Art Museum

In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Douriean Fletcher!

About Douriean Fletcher: An acclaimed jewelry designer and artisan whose work bridges adornment and storytelling. She was the specialty jeweler for Marvel’s Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and became the first jewelry artist to be part of an Academy Award–winning costume design team—an honor she achieved twice. Douriean has expanded into spacial adornment art, creating large-scale installations and immersive environments.

In our conversation, Douriean Fletcher discusses her exhibition, Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture, at the Walters Art Museum and how a ring in the museum’s collection became a touchstone for the show. Years ago, she found an ancient Egyptian brass and red jasper ring online—covered in hieroglyphics and telling a story of religious belief, culture, and tradition. She saved the image, not knowing it belonged to the Walters. When putting together the exhibition, she showed the curator that same image—and found out it was part of the museum’s collection all along.

Fletcher also talks about the parallels between her pieces and objects in the Walters’ collection, including a sculpture of Isis and Horus that reminded her of the Dogon sculptures she referenced in the Ramonda dress for Wakanda Forever. She discusses her move from wearable jewelry to larger spacial adornment that transforms gallery spaces.

Be sure to check out Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture at the Walters Art Museum — https://thewalters.org/exhibitions/douriean-fletcher/

Photo courtesy of subject.

The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council’s Creativity Grant and Mayor’s Individual Artist Award – Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore). 

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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