the art(is)t shaman project is an ongoing exploration of our sacred gatherings at the crossroads of the life, art, ritual, healing and magick, primarily in the lives of continental and diasporic african womben and wimmin of colour. conceptualized by d’bi.young anitafrika as an extension of research around her developing sorplusi methodology, the project engages black wimmin and womben of color through ritual gatherings that explore their processes of (w)holistic self-actualization. the asp collective comprises of rania el mugammar, natasha adiyana morris and chiedza pasipanodya.
the series
this is a nine months series, occurring on the last tuesday of every month, hosted by d’bi.young anitafrika. using the principles of the sorplusi methodology: self-knowledge, orality, rhythm, political content and context, language, urgency, sacredness and integrity, the art(is)t shaman sessions seek to investigate and negotiate the ways in which artists engage in rights of passages, culturally and spiritually self-initiate, and create ritual processes in their art-making through (w)holistic practices. featuring local and international artists, the series explores the spiritual role of artists within the community, the role of the storyteller as healer to the community and the process of self-actualization of individual and collective.including a featured guest in conversation with d’bi., performances, exhibits and collective knowledge creation, the series connects the personal with the political, the universal with the collective, through its focus on collective healing, while negotiating triumph and trauma among black womben and wimmin of color artists.scheduled guests include (jan 28-self-knowledge) notisha massaquoi – executive director of womens’ health in women’s hands, (feb 25-orality) raven dauda – actor, singer/songwriter, arts educator, (april 29-political content and context) ngozi paul – co artistic director of bcurrent, actor, producer, (may 27-language of communication) motion – poet, playwright, mc.the nine months ritual culminates in sacred groundings, the art and (w)holistic health component of the piece of mine festival.
the sorplusi institute 