Adinkra symbols are sacred designs and images that ascend from the ancient Akan Empire of Ghana, West Africa. The powerful symbols of the Adinkra system and their definitions vary widely and apply to virtually all aspects of social living. To this day all are very significant and held in high esteem, by Africans aware of their importance and significance. These pieces were on exhibition at The Museum of African American History in Detroit, March 2000.   

These techniques long-learned in Vanderwalker- Kroll’s experience at the Stadt Universitat in Bamberg, Germany were further honed in silk painting for Trinidad-born fashion designer, Sharonne Mitchell. Kroll was key fabric designer for “Fashion and the Symbols of Adinkra” a silk fashion collection that premiered at the Embassy of Ghanna in Washington DC, June 1998. Kroll’s next project with Mitchell premiered in November 1999 at “We Wear the Mask” fashion and dance extravaganza in Detroit, Michigan. Kroll set out to paint the town with giant African masks that came alive on silk. Mitchell took Kroll’s paintings and appliquéd them to the backs of her one-of-a kind winter coats in wool and cashmere. Evening gowns, framed silk original art from the Adinkra collection and hand-painted silk coats from "We Wear the Mask" collection were on exhibition at The Museum of African American History in Detroit, March 2000 in an exhibition titled "Life Affirming Energy of Wearable Art"

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About the artwork: original artwork is hand-painted silk using the French serti technique of painting by Lee Vanderwalker-Kroll.  Each print is pulled by the artist.

Open Edition 5 x 7 prints in 8 x 10 black mats are available for $15 U.S. plus shipping.

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War Horn	Hair Style of Kwatakye, a war hero	Twistings
Symbol of call to action, readiness and voluntaryism	Symbol of bravery, valor, a brave person or a valiant man	Symbol of toughness, adaptability, selflessness devotion to service and an ability to withstand hardships and difficulties
Horn of the Ram	Two-headed Crocodile with Common Stomach	Seeds of the Wawa Tree
Strength in mind, body and soul, humility, wisdom and learning	Symbol of unity in diversity, democracy or the oneness of the human family despite cultural differences and diversities	Symbol of hardiness, toughness and perseverance
Except God or Tis Only God	The Butterfly	The Fern
Symbol of omnipotence, omnipresence and imortality of God. "Except God, I fear none"	Symbol of tenderness, gentleness, honesty and fragileness	Symbol of endurance, independence, hardiness, perseverance and resourcefulness