“Chronic Soul” Enamel, black-eyed peas, yams, watermelon, and gel medium on canvas 60 x 46 inches *In a private collection Before the 1600’s, African cuisine was comprised of plant based natural and healthful components. While on their journey from Africa to America many slaves had crops such as: okra, watermelon, black-eyed peas, yams, peanuts, and many others stowed in their hair and clothing. The combination of Old and New world crops, influence of Native American, European, and African traditions provided the cultural creation of the cuisine we now know as soul food. With limited cooking supplies, slaves were then forced to create palatable meals from undesirable ingredients. The combination of food preparation and the low access to resources placed African Americans in a poor health state, resulting in chronic disease. I decided to use black-eyed peas, watermelon, and yams in the painting to represent just a few of the crops they brought on their horrific journey, and more importantly the knowledge of their preparation, and how it was imperative to make necessary adaptions for the conditions imposed upon them during slavery. I hope this piece can help shed light and awareness on how these adaptations created food preparation styles significantly unhealthier than its West African foundations. #ryancosbert