​Through the This Bridge That's Our Back Artist in Residency by The Black Sex Workers Collective, I was given full creative freedom to create an art piece that explored the themes of sex workers as conduits of development, advancement, activism. 

Sex work has been considered by historians to be the world’s oldest profession having believed to originate in ancient Mesopotamia in 2400 BC. Yet the spiritual aspect of sex work has been linked to Gods and Goddesses since time immemorial. 

In dedication to the gods Ishtar (also known as Ashtoreth or Inanna), sex workers were divided into three classes of women:     

1. Harimtu (The "Courtesan" or "Prostitute"): Often translated as a temple prostitute or sacred woman who engaged in sexual acts as a ritualistic act for the goddess.

2. Kizertu (The "Curly-haired" or "Gala-woman"):Associated with the sacred rituals of Ishtar, this group was known for ritual performances, sometimes involving the "scattering" of hair or specific hairstyles.

3. Šamhatum (The "Joyous" or "Well-endowed"):Similar to the harimtu, these women represented the sensuality, fertility, and sexual freedom associated with Ishtar.

In short, you could summarize the three as Sacred, Performance, Freedom

 

Complex theological debates swarm around the topic of sex work bending and manipulating the practice into legalization, decriminalization and stigma. All at once. Throughout the histories, sacredness and prohibition of the practice a truth remains of it possessing power of exchange beyond a typical world order. It transcends politics,  capitalism and gender limitations. 

 

The mural I created utilizes adinkrah symbols of hope, beauty, resourcefulness, adaptability, divine protection, transformation and wisdom. It promotes sex workers as symbols embodying all of the attributes of care and healing. 

​

To read the keynote click here 

​