In 1997, when I moved to the American continent, my approach to painting changed. I began connecting modern acrylic painting with the basic materials of the earth--mud, pigments, metal, cloth, wood, water. Only then did I realize that this work was inspired by the Malian technique of bogolan . This technique brings together natural materials such as clay, water, iron, vegetable extracts, etc. to create unique patterns on cloth. To me, bogolan means life present, past and future. By using this approach, I strive to bring together the subtle yet real traces of life present in color, matter, and texture.