ILGELUNOT
Commissioned by DISNEY / MARVEL to create an exclusive art piece for the launch of Black Panther for cinemas in London.
The brief was open and so the title of our piece is called ILGELUNOT which in Maasai translates to ‘The Chosen Ones’.
My costuming and styling when envisioning the two male characters KOINET and KOKAN was inspired by the Nuba tribe body painting, where metals , leather and fur was my medium in bringing out my aesthetics. SAITON costume was intentional, dressing her in a structural wedding gown was my way of showing belonging but still in power. A very rare occasion in a Maasai cultural setting where my inspiration of her character came from.
This is the story of 3 blind elders of Maasai origin (originally from Kajiado) who were Black Panther’s most trusted advisors in the Kingdom of Wakanda.
The three were rescued by King T’Chaka during World War 2 after having wandered the vast plains of North Africa for months in search of refuge. As nomads, they got to integrate, assimilate and learn from different cultures and tribes. Exposure to the metallic element Vibranium made them blind but also gave them extra ordinary abilities and insight.
Little is known about them till now…..
