Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture

Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture is dedicated to the self-taught jewelry artist Douriean Fletcher, whose work spans costume, film, and independent design. The exhibition explores Fletcher’s jewelry as a powerful narrative tool in art, Black identity, and visual storytelling through more than 100 works that span the artist’s life and career, from her formative years to the present day, including a dozen from the Walters Art Museum’s collection hand-picked by the artist. The exhibition was organized by the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City.

The exhibition unfolds across three thematic sections: Fletcher’s formative years and studio practice; her breakout film and television work, including pieces designed for major motion pictures; and her current artistic explorations. Visitors can view elaborate pieces made from natural materials, as well as brass and gold, that were inspired by ancestral traditions. They can also see iconic futuristic jewelry and cinematic costumes from Marvel Studio’s Black Panther film franchise and jewelry from Coming 2 America. The references behind Fletcher’s designs are also on display in the show, including a Maasai neckpiece, works by Alexander Calder and Art Smith, and two ancient Egyptian rings that directly inspired Fletcher’s designs and, according to the artist, gave her the confidence to become a jeweler.

A highlight of the exhibition is the jewelry Fletcher made for Queen Ramonda and the Dora Milaje from the blockbuster films Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). These pieces, displayed with a selection of the films’ costumes designed by Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, offer a window into how adornment defines character, advances world-building, and represents Black sovereignty on screen. Fletcher’s jewelry for television miniseries Roots (2016) and motion picture Coming 2 America (2021) also are featured.

About Douriean Fletcher

Raised in Pasadena, California, Fletcher began making jewelry as a personal exploration of identity and cultural heritage. Her early work was shaped by her travels to South Africa, where she studied traditional forms of adornment and their role in community and ceremony. In 2016, she became the first jewelry designer to be included in the Motion Picture Costumer Union. This distinction made her the sole jewelry artist on the production teams of the films to which she contributed. In addition to her film work, Fletcher maintains an independent studio practice, with recent collections featured by luxury retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman. Her work has been celebrated for its layered references and commitment to handcraft, blending past, present, and future in wearable form.