Josie Chanfi is a British-French-Comorian artist whose practice is inspired by her heritage and explores the amalgamation of these cultures. Born in Bristol, a city full of art and culture, where graffiti is part of everyday life, this environment shaped her upbringing and influenced her identity. Conversely, having never visited the Comoros Islands, this part of her heritage has always fascinated her.
The making of her collection, entitled ‘Métisse’, opened the opportunity to begin an exploration into her own sense of self and belonging. Through visits to museums and archives, Chanfi researched Comorian design, tradition, and history. Her work is particularly influenced by the vivid shades and patterns of Comorian textiles.
Colour becomes a central theme of the collection, and Chanfi used spray paint to achieve these bright colours, further blending her Bristolian and Comorian identity. She uses aluminium casting to create intricate and layered forms. The material allows big and bold pieces to be lightweight and practical.
The collection consists mainly of wearable pieces, as Chanfi defines jewellery as a symbol of identity and memory. The act of wearing jewellery is intimately tied to the body and, therefore, the identity of the wearer.
Current Obsession: Could you tell us the story behind your graduation project and what drew you to the subject?
Josie Chanfi: My graduation project stemmed from an exploration of my sense of self. Being mixed-race and having grown up in the UK while occasionally visiting France, I had never fully explored my Comorian side, as I had never been to Madagascar or the Comoros Islands, nor met most of my relatives. This other side of my heritage felt distant and unknown, and I used this project as an opportunity to begin that exploration.
There is very little information online about the culture and life of the Comoros Islands, so I visited the British Museum Archives and the National Museum of Scotland Archives, where I had the opportunity to handle and photograph objects and textiles originating from Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. This research into traditional Comorian design and craftsmanship inspired me immensely, particularly the vibrant colours and pattern work.
I have grown up in Bristol and knew I wanted to incorporate this culture into my work to fully represent my mixed heritage. Upfest, a bi-annually held street art festival in the area of Bristol I grew up in, meant I have spent my entire life surrounded by art and graffiti. This is when I decided to incorporate spray paint into my work as an ode to all the wonderful art I have been lucky enough to be around throughout my life.
My graduate project is a representation of my identity as a Bristolian-born, French-Comorian woman. It has allowed me to begin exploring my heritage and cultures, and to create a space to express this.
CO: Beyond the gallery, where do you see your work taking root and finding its life? Who do you hope to reach with your work?
JC: When I say I am Comorian, it turns out most people have never heard of the Comoros Islands. I truly hope my work can spread awareness about the Comoros Islands, their culture and history. In the future, I want to travel to the islands to connect and learn more about this side of my heritage.
I think the experience of being mixed race is unique to each individual and their heritage; however, I do believe there can be a common feeling of uncertainty and insecurity in one’s identity. I had the feeling of never being enough on either side, which made it feel hard to fit in and understand myself.
I hope my work tells the story of my heritage and encourages others to explore culture and history. I would love to create a space for conversations with others about their own culture and heritage.
CO:
JC: I do a lot of casting in my work, especially with hollow forms. Although I may complain at times, I do find it very satisfying to remove all the plaster from my casts. Through making this collection, I have used spray paint for the first time, and I look forward to the time I get to spend in the spray booth. The extractor fans are very loud, so I can put my headphones on and get into the zone, watching the colours come together and adding the final touches. I honestly just love the whole environment of the studio, the collaboration between peers, artists in residence and technicians, I find it to be such a unique and special space.
