I was commissioned to paint a planter box in Towson. I grew up with African mud cloth all around my house so I thought I would bring some of it to the streets of Towson. In front of the Chase Bank, check out this planter box on your stroll through Towson. 

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        Bògòlanfini is a handmade Malian cotton fabric traditionally dyed with fermented mud. It has an important place in traditional Malian culture and has, more recently, become a symbol of Malian cultural identity. Chris Seydou, a Malian fashion designer, is widely credited with bringing African mud cloth into the modern fashion arena. Since the 80s, it has become a symbol of the cultural identity of Mali both at home and abroad, particularly in America. It is known as mud cloth and is seen as representative of African American culture.

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        I would like to say thank you to the Towson Creative Partnership for having me be a part of the Boxes & Bloom planter box project along with the other female artists.

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If you are interested in sponsoring a box or commissioning an artist to paint a planter box in Towson please reach out to the Towson Creative Partnership.

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Design: The Artist Oliver James

Photography/Videography: Oliver James