“MAMI” at Knockdown Center

MAMI is an offering to Mami Wata, a pantheon of water deities that originates from West and Central African matriarchal spiritual systems. Most commonly portrayed as part-woman/part-aquatic creature, Mami Wata is called upon by those pursuing wealth, wisdom, emotional guidance, and sexual liberation. However, contrary to monolithic representations, Mami Wata is the embodiment of hybridity. Informed by Mami Wata’s mystifying multiplicity, the works of Salome Asega, Nona Faustine, Doreen Garner, Aya Rodriguez-Izumi, MALAXA, and Rodan Tekle reflect on the process of discovering the Others within ourselves.