Hip-hop culture has produced a genre of jewelry that is both of its time borrowing from indigenous and African modes of adornment. This necklace, which was on-view at the National Ornamental Metal Museum, is an interpretation of my experience as a black woman outsider to my own culture. My life experiences and research come together through my hands when designing jewelry, and Lil’ Pimp came from a time when I was researching African nations and their history with gold.

sterling silver, enamel