Keti Koti
DIMENSION
77 cm
77 cm
TECHNIQUE/ MATERIAL
Craquelé / 24k gold plated / Edition of 3
Craquelé / 24k gold plated / Edition of 3
Keti Koti: An Ode to Human Resilience
With the Keti Koti series, artist Jesse Nelson presents a powerful triptych of handmade wall sculptures. These masks are more than mere art; they are a soulful tribute to African identity and the unbreakable spirit of freedom. The name Keti Koti — meaning "the chains are broken" — marks a positive transformation and a journey toward healing after a complex history.
In this series, Nelson leads us through a chronological narrative of liberation, where each mask is intertwined with a specific West African Adinkra symbol. Together, they form a harmonious choreography of independence, growth, and unity.
Fawohodie – The Strength of Independence
The journey begins with Fawohodie, a celebration of reclaimed freedom. This mask symbolizes the moment a people took back their destiny to rebuild their own culture and identity. The Adinkra symbol serves as a reminder that true freedom is a precious gift that carries the weight of responsibility and perseverance.
Sesa Wo Suban – The Beauty of Transformation
At the heart of the triptych stands Sesa Wo Suban, the mask of inner change. It honors the incredible resilience required to rediscover oneself after times of oppression. This work represents personal growth and the restoration of self-worth; a powerful call to leave the shadows of the past behind and embrace the future with a renewed spirit.
Osram ne Nsoromma – The Peace of Harmony
The series culminates in Osram ne Nsoromma, the mask of cosmic harmony. Here, tranquility and connection converge. It symbolizes a return to the authentic African essence: a world defined by love, loyalty, and balance. For Jesse Nelson, this is the foundation of a free society — a reclaimed connection with ourselves, one another, and the universe at large.
With the Keti Koti series, artist Jesse Nelson presents a powerful triptych of handmade wall sculptures. These masks are more than mere art; they are a soulful tribute to African identity and the unbreakable spirit of freedom. The name Keti Koti — meaning "the chains are broken" — marks a positive transformation and a journey toward healing after a complex history.
In this series, Nelson leads us through a chronological narrative of liberation, where each mask is intertwined with a specific West African Adinkra symbol. Together, they form a harmonious choreography of independence, growth, and unity.
Fawohodie – The Strength of Independence
The journey begins with Fawohodie, a celebration of reclaimed freedom. This mask symbolizes the moment a people took back their destiny to rebuild their own culture and identity. The Adinkra symbol serves as a reminder that true freedom is a precious gift that carries the weight of responsibility and perseverance.
Sesa Wo Suban – The Beauty of Transformation
At the heart of the triptych stands Sesa Wo Suban, the mask of inner change. It honors the incredible resilience required to rediscover oneself after times of oppression. This work represents personal growth and the restoration of self-worth; a powerful call to leave the shadows of the past behind and embrace the future with a renewed spirit.
Osram ne Nsoromma – The Peace of Harmony
The series culminates in Osram ne Nsoromma, the mask of cosmic harmony. Here, tranquility and connection converge. It symbolizes a return to the authentic African essence: a world defined by love, loyalty, and balance. For Jesse Nelson, this is the foundation of a free society — a reclaimed connection with ourselves, one another, and the universe at large.