History of a People

Unique Edition

History of a People is a unique artist’s book that traces African American history and culture through scent. Each of the six bottles (or chapters) holds a custom blended scent that corresponds to the cultural landscape of selected historical periods: Roots, Journey, Arrival, Harrow, Protest, and Visioning. The scents symbolize the complex layering involved in the creation of a new culture.

This project envisions the possibility of material culture brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans, and passed down through generations. The cotton cover of the book is loosely based on tribal crowns, with the thought of how they might evolve over time and distance, while its triangular sides are reminiscent of slave ship schematics. Human hair embellishments lead to the Adinkra Sankofa, a Twi word from the Akan that loosely translates to, “go back and get it" - in this case, history and knowledge.

Scents:

  • Roots – Plants, earth, ambergris

  • Journey – Water, metal, containment

  • Arrival – Salt, water, iron, blood

  • Harrow – Fieldwork, sugar, burning wood, iron

  • Protest – Smoke, food, metal, sweat

  • Visioning – Air with traces of water and earth, flight

History of a People, unique edition (2023)

Dimensions: 20”H x 14”W x 12”D (closed); 7-1/4”H x 19 -1/2”W x 19 -1/2”D (opened)

Images: Kevin Todora

Deluxe Edition

History of a People is also a deluxe edition that contains the same aromatics as the unique version and features a circular crocheted cover. . Adinkra symbols of the deluxe edition are burned into the wooden base, which is painted with indigo ink.

For the edition, the cover is braided and embellished with cowrie shells and hair.

History of a People, deluxe edition, 2024 (10 copies)

Dimensions: 8” dia. X 9.5” (closed)

Image: Kevin Todora

Standard Edition

The scents in the standard version of History of a People are presented in a test tube-style rack with a box enclosure. The upper section of the rack is wood stained with indigo and the edges are painted red. Icons are included on the lower panel and the outer cover features a slightly raised Sankofa symbol. Adinkra icons appear inside the front panel.

History of a People, Standard edition, 2025 (20 copies)

Dimensions: 3.5”H x 12” x 3.5” (closed); 3.5” x 12” x 16” (opened)

Kudos

The unique version of History of a People was commissioned by the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) and resides in the permanent collection of the Library Research Center.

The standard version of History of a People was named a 2024 MCBA Book Art Prize finalist. The international competition is sponsored by the Minnesota Center for Book Art.

History of a People was named a finalist for the international Sadikichi Award for Experimental Scent at the 10th Art and Olfaction Awards (2024) sponsored by the Institute of Art and Olfaction (IAO).

My essay, History of a People: Tracing Cultural Development Through Scent was selected to appear in the premier issue of Alabastron, a journal published by the IAO.