Transform your living space into a sanctuary of art and reflection with Da’Shaunae's Ancestral Adornments. Embrace the beauty of life, the preservation of memories, and the timeless connection between nature and humanity. 🌿🌺

THE PEARLERS 

I found this image on my 2nd trip to Australia.

A sea treasure used for decoration lay in Aborigines land for over 150 years. In 1849 , Daniel Scott of Fremantle financed an expedition to search for it. In 1861, shell-adorned Aborigines helped sailors at Nickol Bay to gather several tonnes. By 1866 W.F. Tays, became interested in pearling and employed Aborigines to deep dive for pearls in exchange for flour and tobacco. 

Soon after a pearl rush began and Aborigines labor increased to the demand of European women’s fashion. The relationship between the whites and Aborigines quickly deteriorated as young Aboriginal girls were found to be the best divers. 

The early history of pearling resemble that of Queensland sugar industry, littered with stories of murder, kidnapping and rapes. Reports soon came of Aboriginal men and women imprisoned by black birders before being sold to pearlers. 

Today I give them their flowers. 

How I Started

I started this unique process when my mother passed away in 2020. It became important for me to give my mother the flowers she did not receive in life but in death. The floral adornment of my mother sits on my altar today as a reminder of her life and the beauty her energy still carries in death.

My Process

I clip flowers grown from concrete in my neighborhood mixed with bouquet flowers that embody the energy I feel from each portrait.

What You Will Receive

Each purchase grants you exclusive access to a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Marisa's meticulous process involves crafting an Ancestral adornment that intertwines the images of your ancestors with a carefully selected array of flowers. The result is a visually stunning and deeply meaningful work that is uniquely yours.

Your purchase goes beyond acquiring a physical art piece; it supports the artist in her mission to explore themes of life, death, and cultural identity. By choosing Ancestral Adornments, you contribute to the continuation of meaningful artistic expression and the celebration of diverse ancestral stories.

Finished work will be shipped in a black shadow box that is safe for transport and ready to hang. Due to the nature of using dried flowers some petals naturally fall off but be assured you’ll still receive your ancestors in beautiful condition!