Summary: The Warrior Shields are a series of abstract, wall-mounted decorative panels that highlight global challenges and offer tribute to the mostly unsung “Warriors of Light” (environmentalists, indigenous people, cultural stewards, technologists etc.). This sixth panel in a series of six so far was inspired by the challenge of imaginative storytelling in relation to Queen Nanny of the Maroons, Jamaica’s only National Shero. It is also consistent with my earlier work exploring themes of Women as Warriors of Change and featuring body comforting jewelry constructed of clay beads to offer the wearer a sense of safety, groundedness, wearable weaponry and protection.

Created entirely by hand from aluminum reprographic plate discarded from the printing of The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, the magnetic blue colour represents the darkness high in the blue mountains, where the imagined scene is set for a strategy battle between Maroons and advancing English soldiers. A solitary female figure holds aloft the abeng in a stance of defiance. To the left of the abeng a solitary female figure adorned with a headdress of healing herbs looks out over the mountains toward the distance. To the right of the abeng, a giant butterfly over the mountains is a symbol of hope and freedom.

The owl is another observer under the moonlight, representing wisdom, knowledge, independence of thought and strategic action. Folkloric traditions also associate the owl with mysterious magical powers and an omen of the ever-present threat of danger and death. The wealth of the queen is her queendom over plant life, waterfalls and streams: symbols of the abundant life in nature. Legend states that the Right Excellent Nanny was once given fast-bearing pumpkin seeds by her ancestors in a time of urgent need such as the modern-day crisis in many lands related to food security.

The circular form of the Warrior Shield is intentional, referencing African culture rooted in “Ubuntu”, oneness, service to community, humanity to others, all points equidistant from a common center and groundation in a common identity without regard to hierarchy or differences. The viewer is invited to see their own face as the face of the warrior today and reflect on their own tapestry of experiences.