Kadi Sow

For this weeks 'Curated by', artil virtually met with student and English teacher Kadi Sow to talk about the 11 items that represent her and her life in the past, present and future!

One item that represents my childhood: My tooth 

“When I was at the age of 10, hanging out on the playground, some boys challenged me to jump off a high point, which they didn’t believe I could do because I’m a girl. I wanted to prove them wrong, so I did it - resulting in me falling down and breaking of my tooth. There still is a slight mark of it today.” 

One item that represents my ethnicity: Spices and cultural clothing

"I was born in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, but raised in America. I never felt American, but African family see me as American. My parents always made an effort to keep our cultural heritage as part of our life. Spices and traditional Guinean food is a big part of that as well as traditional clothing." 

One item that represents my biggest passion: Writing poems 

"I have written a lot of poems since my brother passed away last year. It has become a way for me to escape from reality and connect with him across time and space. It’s very sacred and special to me, and it always will be." 

Images from Instagram: @kadisow_

One item that represents my highest ambition in life: Snapchat messages from my brother

"It’s messages of encouragement and they remind me of my past and what I’ve been through. When I go back and read them, I feel encouraged to never give up and believe in myself." 

One item that represents my current mood: Scholarship email 

"I just received an email, informing me that I have been accepted for a scholarship I’ve applied for,  so I am very happy and proud of myself right now."

One item that represents my favourite person: Guitar 

"The guitar which belonged to my late brother." 

One item that represents my style: Rings 

"I am obsessed with rings. Vintage rings, rings I’ve inherited from my family as well as cultural jewellery - I love all of them!" 

One item that represents my greatest fear: Disappointment 

"Not achieving the goals I’ve set for myself and disappointing my family and myself is one of my greatest fears."

One item that represents my profession: The people that I connect with through my job 

"I work at a humanitarian centre, teaching English to refugees. I’ve met some incredible people there with the most absurd and fascinating life stories."  

One item that represents this year: Facemask

"Yes, because of Covid-19." 

One item that represents me: My hijab 

"Ultimately, it defines who I am. It’s the first thing people notice about me, if not my skin colour, and I am aware of that fact and I own it."