BEAUTY AROUND THE WORLD A Global Inspired Wallpaper Collection designed by
AYANNA JOHNSON
“ Beauty Around the World ” - a Global Inspired Wallpaper collection.
Our world is culturally diverse and brimming with a wealth of knowledge that reflects our experiences, symbolism and traditions. It is wonderful to see the connections throughout human culture and to learn that we are more alike than we know, but it is even more fulfilling to highlight and celebrate where we might differ and be unique. For me, this assignment was a journey of self-discovery: an opportunity to reconnect with my own Trinidadian culture while sharing it with others, and to explore and learn from the culture of some of my ancestors. This wallpaper collection is a celebration of the cultures of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean and The Republic of Ghana in West Africa.
-Ayanna Johnson
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
A global, cultural melting pot, Trinidad & Tobago infuses this wallpaper collection with design elements that reflect the twin-island republic’s rich history, diversity, and natural beauty. This collection draws from the steelpan (Trinidad and Tobago’s own musical innovation), the exuberantly colorful, bedazzled, and feathered costumes of Carnival, diverse traditional folk dances and festivals, local fruit, flora and fauna and wildlife. The varied colors, textures, and patterns, geometric and organic, rustic, and refined, all denote a highly nuanced culture and heritage.
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“ The Unity Dance” Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago Collection: Black & White/Grayscale The two dancers in this wallpaper design represent two major population groups in Trinidad and Tobago between whom there can be racial and political tension: those of African descent and those of Indian descent. I have portrayed African and Indian dancers here, performing together in unity as a means of bringing the two cultural groups together in peace. The leaves of the coconut tree, which is a main staple on the islands, provide texture and a uniting element.
“The Unity Dance”
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“Pan-O-Rama” Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago Collection: Black & White/Grayscale The steelpan or steel drum is a pitched percussion instrument first invented in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1940’s by Winston ”Spree” Simon. The earliest drums were made from recycled oil drums and is the only widely known instrument invented in the twentieth century. The steelpan is a staple instrument at Carnival time at the Panorama music competition and is often played by dancing musicians. I wanted to capture the feel of the musicians here by the movement of the steelpans in this design.
“Pan-O-Rama”
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“P heasant Fans” Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago Collection: Black & White/Grayscale The Lady Amherst Pheasant feathers are often incorporated into Carnival costumes for headpieces and other decorative details. They are naturally full of pattern and contrast providing an interesting visual texture for this black and white/grayscale piece. They often form a fan-like shape on the headpieces much like the forms created here.
“Pheasant Fans”
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“La P lume Noire” Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago Collection: Black & White/Grayscale This wallpaper design was inspired by the feathered headdresses of Carnival costumes. The focus here is on the texture and movement of the feathers as the dancing masquerader parades through the streets, as well as the softness of each individual plume. The black and white contrast gives a sophisticated feel of toile while bringing the excitement of carnival to the design.
“La Plume Noire”
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“ The Scarlet Ibis” Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago Collection: Color The Scarlet Ibis is one of two of the national birds of Trinidad & Tobago. These brilliant red birds can be seen from a mile away as they dot the sky in great numbers with their scarlet color. I have softened their color a bit here against the blue background in this scene. I have also added a reflection to the birds and used an effect on the background to make it seem as though they are standing in water, enjoying a meal and relaxing before their next flight.
“The Scarlet Ibis”
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“Everything’s Coming Up Crotons” Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago Collection: Color Crotons are one of my favorite plants tied to memories of growing up in Trinidad and Tobago. My grandmother had them in abundance in a colorful display on her front lawn and she tended to them dutifully with pride and great care. The leaves provide a lively burst of color and layered textures featured in this wallpaper design.
“Everything’s Coming Up Crotons”
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“ Land of the Hummingbird ” Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago Collection: Color Long before Columbus renamed the island ‘Trinidad’ (trinity) after three mountain ranges that can be seen from afar, it was called ”I¸re” (Ah-EE-Ree) by the island’s indigenous peoples, which means "Land of the Hummingbird". This is because Trinidad has 18 species of hummingbirds. The island's native black throated mango hummingbird is featured in this design, hovering over the hibiscus flowers (also widely abundant in Trinidad and Tobago) ready to take a sip of delicious nectar.
“Land of the Hummingbird”
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“ J’ouvert” Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago
Collection: Color J'ouvert means “opening of the day” or “daybreak”. This wallpaper is a sophisticated take on the carnival headdresses of J'ouvert revelers. In Trinidad, J'ouvert festivals would begin early at daybreak on Dimanche Gras (Great Sunday), and the celebrations would continue for days. The pink and violet jewel tones and the layered floral shapes of the headdresses give this wallpaper an elegant softness, while the use of contrast provides depth, texture and movement.
“J'ouvert”
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“ Dimanche Gras” “ Dimanche Gras” Country of Inspiration: Country of Inspiration: Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago
Collection: Collection: Color Color Dimanche Gras means “Great Sunday” and is the first day of Carnival celebrations. This Dimanche Gras means “Great Sunday” and is the first day of Carnival celebrations wallpaper is a sophisticated take on the carnival headpieces of the masqueraders. In that begin at daybreak (J’ouvert). This wallpaper is a celebration of the layered Trinidad, early at daybreak (J’ouvert) on Dimanche Gras ( Great Sunday), and the vibrant colors on the carnival headpieces of the masqueraders. The layered shades celebrations would continue for two more days. The shades of blue accented by jewel of blue accented by the bright pink feathers gives this wallpaper a rich, nuanced tones and soft layered texture gives this wallpaper a nuanced visual texture. visual texture.
“Dimanche Gras”
GHANA
Home of the Kente cloth, Ghana is a country deeply rooted in strong centuries-old traditions, depicted in symbols, patterns and bold colors that reflect the values and principles of its vibrant culture. This collection highlights Adinkra symbols and geometric shapes of Kente cloth imbued with conceptual truths and ancient wisdom passed from one generation to the next. These design elements can be found on traditional architecture and jewelry, such as hand painted Krobo beads, and fabric patterns of traditional ceremonial Adinkra and Kente cloths. The beautiful craftsmanship of Bolga fans woven from elephant grass and the intricate designs of local Ankara fabric patterns are also featured in this collection. The intrinsic line, organic shapes, and textures of these cultural elements exhibit a celebration of natural beauty in the fruits, flora, and fauna of Ghana.
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“ Ahinasa” Country of Inspiration: Ghana Collection: Color "Ahinasa" means "triangle" in the Twi language spoken by two-thirds of Ghanaians. The triangle appears in Ghanaian culture in Kente cloth designs and traditional architecture. It has many symbolic meanings depending on its position and can symbolize the cycle of birth, death and life. However, in this case, I was inspired by the design I saw on the Wa Naa's Palace in Ghana. "Wa Naa's Palace is the home to the King of the Wala people who the majority population in Wa, in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
“Ahinasa”
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“ Dwennimmen” Country of Inspiration: Ghana Collection: Color Adinkra symbols from Ghana represent conceptual truths, proverbs, aphorisms, or wisdom observed in nature or through life experiences. The Adinkra symbol “Dwennimmen" (literally "rams' horns") means humility together with strength. The symbol represents a bird's eye view of two rams butting heads. It draws from the idea that the ram will fight fiercely against an adversary, but it also submits humbly to its demise emphasizing that even the strong need to be humble.
“Dwennimmen”
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“ The Sankofa Bird ” Country of Inspiration: Ghana Collection: Color The Sankofa is an Adinkra symbol of Ghana. The word "sankofa" translates as "go back and get it". The symbol is a proverb teaches that if we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes. The bird while traveling forward looks back to grasp lessons from the past to ensure a strong future for its egg that it carries in its beak, which represents the future. It also means "Look back to the past to understand the present."
“Sankofa”
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“ The Bolga & The Beautiful ” Country of Inspiration: Ghana Collection: Color These beautiful Bolga fans are handwoven out of elephant grass by women in Bolgatanga region in Ghana. Sturdy and practical, the fans are usually very colorful and feature many shapes and patterns. In fact, they are so stunning in color, they are often hung on walls as a decorative element. However, the design of this wallpaper brings focus to the patterns in the weave. By removing the highly saturated colors the texture and woven patterns of the fan is highlighted and becomes the star of the show.
“The Bolga & The Beautiful”
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“ Mask of Ghana” Country of Inspiration: Ghana
Collection: Color In Ghana, mask carving is a specialized skill and occupation that has been passed down from generation to generation and kept alive today. Masks have many meanings in Ghanaian and African traditions and are used in social events, initial rituals and other ceremonies. Early carvers of masks drew their inspiration from encounters with spirits. The belief is that whoever wears the mask is possessed by the spirit which can be good or evil. The mask featured in this wallpaper is of a more modern design, crafted by fair trade artisans who combine traditional carving techniques with weaving techniques for the crown which closely resembles a Ghanaian Bolga fan.
“Mask of Ghana”
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“ Loco for Cocoa” Country of Inspiration: Ghana Collection: Color Cocoa is one of Ghana's largest exports, second only to minerals. Ghana is internationally known for its cocoa production and trade and is the world’s secondleading world cocoa producer. Therefore, the cocoa pod is seen as a symbol of wealth. The cocoa pods appear on objects such as Ghanaian coins, fabrics, clothing, and other decorative accessories in Ghanaian culture.
“Loco for Cocoa”
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“Color Me Krobo” Country of Inspiration: Ghana
Collection: Color Krobo beads get their name from the people of the Krobo Mountain area in Eastern Ghana who are some of the oldest and most famous makers and users of beads in the world. Originally used as currency, Krobo beads are seen as a symbol of wealth and status. These colorful hand-crafted beads are an integral part of Ghanaian culture and are highly symbolic and significant to Ghanaian traditions. They are worn by men, women and children of all ages and are used to celebrate rites of passage such as birth, coming of age ceremonies, marriage, pregnancy, installation of chiefs and other rites. The beads are often passed down as family heirlooms and are considered vessels of wisdom from family ancestors. This wallpaper design features the beads’ bold colors, shapes and intricate hand-painted patterns.
“Color Me Krobo”
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“Ankara for Ayanna” Country of Inspiration: Ghana Collection: Color Ankara fabric originated in Indonesia and was then introduced to Africa by the Dutch but has since become a staple in African fashion across the continent. The symbols and patterns present in many fabrics on the African continent are inspired by each region's local culture. Sometimes new fabrics are created to celebrate special occasions or honor individuals, such as Kwame Nkrumah, the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana. I designed this Ankara-inspired wallpaper to honor my journey of reconnection with my ancestors and their culture through this assignment. My name, Ayanna, which is Ghanaian in origin, means 'beautiful flower’ and is represented in the design by floral elements, symbolic to me of personal growth.
“Ankara for Ayanna”