A reflection on core by Naafia Naahemaa
Core. The clothing collection from Artisanal One emerged from a process of stripping back, quieting the noise and returning to the essence of the practice.
Directed by Curtis Essel, the film grew out of years of friendship and conversation with Artisanal One designer Adémidé Udoma, and their shared love and respect for craftsmanship. Essel approached the filming intuitively, responding to his surroundings and bringing together archive, portraiture and references from the studio. Past and present sit alongside one another, informing what comes next.
Naafia Naahemaa reflects on the concept of returning to the core, finding resonance between her own return inward and the voices and reflections that shape the film.
The timing of the film’s release feels deeply aligned with where I find myself right now. I have been stripping things back too. September has been a month of silence for me, a month to come back to center, to my core and to listen.
The core is where truth lives deep within. The voice you know to follow when everything else becomes quiet enough. The spirit. The connection to the Creator. When so much of our attention is pulled outward, returning inward is vital.
Danielle, who is an integral part of Artisanal One, spoke about how core connects to spirit and the interior world. I witnessed a beautiful resonance with Danielle’s understanding of core met what I had already been thinking and feeling.
“Beyond the title, it’s very much connected to spirit, the essence of who we are. What we’ve realised within this process is that the answers are already within; instead of searching outward, it’s the familiar feeling of a tone, a sound, an image, a shape all elements are connected and signal towards something deeper that we already know inherently and ancestrally. For me, this is what ‘Core.’ embodies not only for this collection but this endeavour in its entirety.”
– Danielle Andrea Field
What we know inherently and ancestrally also makes me think about the many ways Curtis honours those who came before us. When we spoke, he shared what returning makes possible for him.
“Returning to the past allows me to absorb, question and reimagine what I’ve inherited, giving me a deeper understanding of where I stand in the present and creating space to imagine where I can go next.” – Curtis Essel
What we return to continues to inform what we create. And what we create is also shaped by the people around us. That becomes visible in Core., where each person brings their own creative language to a shared process. As my dear friend Henrika recently said: “we are not built to be isolated; we are built to operate in community.”
“Artisanal One is truly a collaborative practice. Danielle and Daniel are integral to the practice, though Daniel isn't featured in the film. I am a communal person. Creating a safe space for us to express, critique and grow is essential.” – Adémidé Udoma
I find myself remembering the many collaborations I have had, not only with people I already knew, but with people I came to know through creating together. Each encounter has left me with a lesson, sometimes one I only understood later. I am grateful for that. Co-creating asks for trust, honesty and a willingness to be challenged, while remaining open to what we can learn from one another.
“I keep returning to the principle of Ujima — Swahili for 'collective work and responsibility.’ Such interconnectedness is essential to the work. Nasir Scott’s score, the work of Artisanal One, and talking to you now all contribute to that collective process, each bringing something of their own.”
– Curtis Essel
Nasir Scott’s original score features in the film. I first came across his work last year and was struck by it, so hearing his sound become part of Core. is a reminder of how one creative connection can lead to another.
“My relationship with Curtis is dear to me. He’s one of the few artists I feel I can truly be vulnerable with. He makes me feel seen. The respect I have for him, both as a brother and as an artist, instils a deep sense of trust, allowing for unfiltered and challenging work.”
– Adémidé Udoma
The mutual trust is evident in Core. as Curtis is able to observe closely without the film feeling as though it is trying to extract something from the people it portrays. That sense of trust extends to the way Curtis approaches time in his work.
“We shot ‘Core.’ back in March. You know, time has always been an essential part of my process. I believe in allowing the work the space it needs and trusting its timing. There is a certain surrender in that, in knowing when to move and when to stay with something a little longer, without forcing either.” – Curtis Essel
It is reaffirming to allow myself to slow down. So much can make us feel as though we need to hurry towards what comes next, without giving enough time to the present. What gets lost in a rush is attention. Taking and trusting time is not simply about moving slowly, but about being present enough to remain open.
“I’m trying to create dialogue. A dialogue between form and memory. I believe we are all vessels, and to create is to allow, to submit to a greater frequency. When we look at what we’ve created, the conversation is not complete. In fact, it only deepens.” – Adémidé Udoma
As we live and create from the core, we open ourselves up to something greater.