The Ivorian artist Laetitia KY has developed her project within Rocca Sinibalda, establishing a profound and direct relationship with all parts of the medieval village. The fundamental topos is the Castle named “delle Metamorfosi” (of the Metamorphoses) for its frescoes clearly inspired by Ovid’s famous text. The theme of metamorphosis has always been central to KY’s artistic practice. She uses her own hair as an expressive medium to create works in which she transforms herself every time, putting her work at the service of the feminist struggle: weaving her hair into symbolic images that highlight women’s rights, fighting patriarchy, violence and social impositions. Follow the Braid is the title of the project in which the artist has created a sculpture representing herself on a 1:1 scale, placed in the centre of the town’s main square. The statue’s hair is represented by long braided pitch black ropes, which, with a performative gesture, will be pulled out, simulating the extensions used by KY herself in her artistic practice, winding and snaking through the streets of Rocca Sinibalda. Each braid leads to a hidden place where a portrait of the artist can be found, like a kind of treasure. Following the braids, one can discover all the photographs and see the different metamorphoses created by Laetitia KY for the village. In fact, in each one she has created motifs with her hair, inspired by details of the surrounding area, be they animal or vegetable. The set of works will symbolise the way in which women all over the world are in many cases forced to transform themselves and “metamorphose”, making compromises according to their setting. In addition to the live performance at the opening on 25 June, the artist has decided to donate a selection of books on feminist themes, which will create the KY section in the Rocca Sinibalda library.

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Permanent works:

01. Laetitia KY, Growth, 2023. UV printing on Dibond, 35 x 50 cm.
Via degli Archi, 2-8

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02. Laetitia KY, The Dragon of Rocca Sinibalda, 2023. UV printing on Dibond, 35 x 50 cm.
Via del Castello

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03. Laetitia KY, Sky is Not the Limit, 2023. UV printing on Dibond, 35 x 50 cm.
Via degli Archi

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04. Laetitia KY, Light in the Darkness, 2023. UV printing on Dibond, 35 x 50 cm.
Via del Sole, 10

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05. Laetitia KY, Water Goddess, 2023. UV printing on Dibond, 35 x 50 cm.
Via del Popolo

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Exhibited works:

Laetitia KY, The Hair Goddess, 2023. Terracotta, 165 x 64 cm.
Piazza della Vittoria

Laetitia KY (Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 1996) is an artist and activist. After studying business and administration, since 2015 she has dedicated all her time to her activities, and African culture has become the focal point of her quest, rediscovering impressive and inspiring aesthetic imagery, particularly the hairstyles of African women from the pre-colonial period. KY works on the metamorphoses of bodies and definitions of the contemporary human condition. Her paintings and sculptures, created using her hair and utilising photography and video media, celebrate the artist’s roots and are a powerful tool of communication designed to raise public awareness around issues of race, gender equality and social justice. Her social media accounts are her primary means of outreach, and she has taken part in many solo and group exhibitions; the most recent include a double solo exhibition at Made in Cloister, Naples (IT, 2023) and participation in the 59th Venice Biennale, Ivory Coast National Pavilion (IT, 2022).