Handpainting from an African Perspective
Tribal Immunity is an African-centered brand established by me, artist and educator, Tamara Kae. My main goal is to celebrate the African aesthetic in a world where indigenous art forms are exploited. Tribal Immunity celebrates the contributions of Africans worldwide through visual arts, independent research & education.
I specialize in hand-painting, adinkra stamping, jewelry-making & digital design using contemporary & traditional African design techniques. I would consider much of my work a form of textile re-design, using my canvas (clothing, purses, wood, etc.) to create wearable works of art.
Tribal Immunity has grown from funky t-shirts painted in my dorm room into a high-end business through determination and focus. My materials include handmade tools created by myself and West African textile designers. High quality inks, paints, adhesives, and sealers are used to give each piece a lasting effect. I treat each item as a blank canvas, planning and maneuvering my design as necessary to complement the unique style of the canvas. Much research is done to pay homage to traditional African textile design.
Having a skillful tradesman for a father, and a multifaceted designer for a mother, I realized at an early age the importance of self-reliance, spending much of my childhood watching my parents run a successful clothing business. I have always celebrated my rural Jamaican heritage , while respecting my experiences as a Newark, NJ youth.
My love for Rastafari, education, and the arts have been my greatest inspirations. It was while attending Howard University, a Mecca for Black thought, that I first conceptualized the Tribal immunity brand.
Feel free to browse my site to learn more about my work, or shop for my latest wearable creations!
