New Nice Jewellery Exhibition Shines Mild on the Impactful Legacy of Black Students, Medical Practitioners, and Wellness Rituals

The Black Well being and Wellness exhibition makes use of Fraley’s effective jewellery craftsmanship to inform the story of the various medicinal and wellness practices frequent all through Black communities and a nod to this yr’s commemoration theme. The showcase honours Black students and Western drugs practitioners and doulas, midwives, herbalists, naturopaths, beginning staff, and others. All through historical past, folks of color have relied on their self-determination to convey correct healthcare to their communities amid rampant discrimination and disparities in mainstream establishments. This consists of establishing hospitals, such because the Howard College Faculty of Medication, and smaller clinics operated by grassroots organizations, together with the African Union Society.

Whereas efforts have been made to grasp and deal with bodily and psychological well being in Black communities, the COVID-19 pandemic has once more bolstered the inequalities plaguing the healthcare system. Black People typically look to the rituals, traditions, and therapeutic practices of ancestors, deeply rooted within the tradition.

“There are a number of sides to Black well being and wellness that have to be higher understood and amplified, and others that will have to be questioned and corrected,” mentioned Fraley. “My purpose with this exhibition is to reveal folks to the wealthy historical past of medication all through the African Diaspora and use this training to convey in regards to the betterment of each our our bodies and our communities as an entire.”

Along with his personal expertise residing and dealing in the USA, Fraley spent a few years instructing jewellery design to artisans within the Dominican Republic. At present, he serves as a professor of jewelry within the worldwide program on the Dominican Republic’s prestigious Altas De Chavon Artwork Faculty. Not too long ago, he additionally travelled to Africa, gaining inspiration from the folks of Ghana and their distinctive designs. Each worldwide journey experiences are on the forefront of the Black Well being and Wellness exhibitions within the designs and supplies used.

“Frank’s intricate designs and cautious consideration to element come collectively to create a considerate have a look at the previous, current, and way forward for well being and wellness in Black communities,” mentioned Michael Coen, Professor, and former chairperson of jewellery design at FIT. “Honoring Black Historical past Month in a novel, genuine means is a tough activity, however I don’t doubt that every exhibition customer shall be each impressed and educated after their go to.”

An avid golfer and philanthropist, Fraley has hosted a sequence of charity golf outings to learn African American well being and wellness causes. He designed the Fulani Golf Bracelet, named for the Fulani folks, one of many largest ethnic teams within the Sahel and West Africa, as a lovely work of wearable artwork. The Fulani golf bracelet is featured within the exhibit and worn by golfers.