John Blanke -  bridges the gap between two continents

I imagined John Blanke as a cultural bridge—a man of strength and courage who left his homeland in Africa for new adventures up north. I admire him for making a long trek and braving new territories in order to share his musical gift. Blanke bridges the gap between two continents, holding cherished memories and customs from home, and learning different ones in his new country. The colors I chose to represent him in yarn were a medley inspired from the manuscript. His chartreuse turban with gold honors his homeland tradition, while he also adorns the grey and mustard yellow tunic that his fellow trumpeters wear. On this most fitting sparkly yarn, dominant greys and golden yellows represent the interconnection between his new and old homelands, while the red and green specks reflect the memories and sometimes hidden or partially told narratives that add depth and complexity to those of us from diaspora

Dr. Mary Rambaran-Olm  
Medieval Literary Historian & Indie yarn dyer