The Watermillion Bag

The Watermillion Bag was a centerpiece of my solo show, "all the watermillion fr’m heabun" at SATOR Projects. I designed and developed every aspect of the bag in conjunction with the theme of the show. The Red Black and Green Pan-African flag straps were custom-made with an overseas vendor, while I worked with a fabricator to create the Watermillion necklace, which was then digitally transferred to create the bold watermelon graphic on the front. I also took charge of designing, sourcing, and developing the trim, as well as creating the thoughtful verbiage that complemented the bag's design.

Available in two sizes—a large version retailing for $70 and a smaller one for $33—the bag was not only a functional accessory but a way for the show to live on past the closing date. Its design drew inspiration from the sacks used by formerly enslaved individuals to pick cotton. These people who were enslaved at times ingeniously added watermelons to their sacks to increase the recorded weight during weigh-ins, adding an extra layer of historical and cultural resonance to the piece.