Ritual Cloth no.1, 2021, plant and rust dyed osnaburg, indigo-dyed cotton, muslin, cotton bolls, archival photograph copied on cotton, thread, hand-stitched and quilted, 7’x6’
ELVIRA CLAYTON
Artist Statement
I tell stories centered on those who historically had little to no voice. Much of my work responds to the lives of people who lived under American slavery. I uncover stories buried within slave auction notices, plantation records, and other slave-era documents to illuminate hidden historical memories. Through this process, I am honoring my own enslaved ancestors.
My work includes assemblage, performance, installation, handcrafts, printmaking, and community engagement projects.
Embedded with family and archival photographs, text from historical documents, slave-era textiles, amulets, and natural world objects—I consider my pieces ritualistic vessels holding stories of lost and forgotten people.