LUCY SM JOHNSTON

An established portrait artist (www.shutterandsketch.com) but also a painter, writer and photographer, her ADHD renders her in a constant state of arm-flapping chaos so it really is quite a feat if anything gets finished at all.

That said, she's been featured in The Times, The Independent, The Telegraph, Livingetc. Campaign magazine as well as having exhibited in solo and group shows. She will dance for and at wine if pointed in the right direction. A certain chord change in jazz makes her retch. Her studio assistant is a fluffy cat hellbent on sabotage. www.lucysmjohnston.com

The photos are from a series in collaboration between artists Lucy SM Johnston and Angie Aniwura and depict a Yoruba Orisa devotee holding a number of consecrated sacred objects.

In image 1 - an 'Ajere' ( a wooden vessel in which divination tools are stored between uses) is held by the devotee. The carved figures represent the powerful sacred essence of womanhood and motherhood. The child figure tied to her back represents on the one hand the nurturing of the earthly and ancestral Mothers, whilst also referencing how young children are traditionally carried allowing simultaneously safety and comfort for both whilst she goes about her daily chores. In this instance however, the child figure is depicted facing away from the 'Mother' creating a tension or frisson between them both. This symbolises humanity (represented by the child) turning its back on Mother Earth as well as its ancestral and earthly mothers whilst still being nurtured and protected by them.

In images 2 and 3, the subject holds either one or both twins. Twins hold a special place in the tradition and culture representing a sacred deity. These effigies also represent earthborn twins whether alive or who have passed over and are commonly given to traditional families who have birthed a set and will be cared for - bathed, dressed, fed, carried around just like a baby. They are placed within the family or personal shrine during festivals and "fed" offerings such as sweets and beans.

Twins run in Angie Okuwa on both sides of her family.

Photographer - Lucy SM Johnston
Model - Angie Aniwura