The Putchu Guinadji
The Putchu Guinadji is an ancient Kotoko Chad, Cameroon talisman. It was typically cast in bronze and used in ceremony to heal mental illness. When I first saw these horse and warrior talismans, I was attracted to them, but wanted to find a modern interpretation for myself. I chose to think of the Putchu (the horse) as no longer needing the help of the Guinadji (the warrior), and in fact, not curing a person of a specific disease, but accompanying them throughout their lives and giving support for all illnesses, physical or not. I left the warrior in my depiction, on the side, cheering on the Putchu.