I KNEW THE SEA BY ANOTHER NAME

Acrylic, Photo transfer  and Raffia On Linen
48in x 36in
2025

“I Knew to Sea by Another Name” shows how Frederick Douglass’ story is closely tied to the sea and the shipyards where he worked and learned to write. It’s an ode to the often overlooked connection to Black maritime culture by capturing both the fragility and strength embedded in Douglass’ journey toward freedom. The raffia strands symbolizes the pull of the ocean which was once a barrier and a pathway, while the drawn figure is of Douglass’s formative years after the shipyards, where he learned to write and to imagine a life beyond bondage. The work also nods to his acts of befriending a freed Black sailor, who gave Douglass his sailor's certification which helped secure his escape north which copies of such certifications are collaged in the piece itself. This piece is a visual story that echoes Douglass’ transformation and the way the sea became not just a route, but a re-naming of destiny.