Work samples
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Trustina Sabah As "Madame" In KatalepsisTrustina Sabah, as Madame, In "Katalepsis", inspecting her work for natural flaws. Katalepsis was produced by Submersive Productions in May 2023. It was a site specific show which was stagged at The Peale, Baltimore.
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Trustina Sabah As Seeker of Smells In "See Also" By Submersive ProductionsTrustina Sabah interacting with other actors and audience members as Seeker of Smells In "See Also" By Submersive Productions. See also was a site specific theater production staged at the Incredible Peabody Library in February 2020.
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Owl Gourd VaseThis vase is crafted with a tall gourd vase. The front features a wood-burned owl, framed with a red framing. The background was then carved and painted to depict the sun setting on an ocean. Techniques used include wood-burning, carving , painting, among others.
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Gye Nyame Gourd LampThe Gye Nyame Gourd Lamp is a lamp made out of a large pear-shaped gourd, cut cleaned and drilled to ensure the design shines through, when powered. The design is the Gye Nyame adinkra symbol form Ghana. The symbol signifies the supremacy of God, in the Akan clan of Ghana.
Available for Purchase
About Trustina
Trustina Fafa Sabah is a theater and gourd artist originally from Ghana who lives in Baltimore, Maryland. A year after her MFA in Theater Arts at Towson University, she discovered her love and talent for gourd art, and decided to pursue it. She founded Gourds By Fafa studio where she makes and sells her work online and at various events. She also teaches gourd art workshops.
She exhibits her work at The Barn at Wellspring, Upper Marlboro,… more
Gourd Lamps
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Swaddle Gourd LampThe Swaddle Gourd Lamp is made with sweeping lines and several colored beads to promote vibrancy
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Fall Leaf Gourd LampThis gourd lamp is vibrant minimalist and calming. It features a single fall leaf 🍁 in front and another on the back. Carefully hand-made for fall lovers
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"Swaddle" Gourd LampThe Swaddle gourd lamp features swooping patterns that remind me of a swaddle. It projects energizing patterns when placed near a wall for your utmost visual enjoyment. The lamp is powered by an electric plug and is fitted with an LED bulb for lighting.
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Duafe lamp.jpgThe Duafe lamp features the Duafe Adinkra symbol, a representation of beauty in Ghanaian culture. The lamp's design not only serves as a stunning decor piece but also brings a meaningful cultural element to any space. This well sought after design/symbol is its own announcement, almost like it announces its own appellations.
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Patterns Gourd LampThe Patterns Gourd Lamp was made to celebrate geometric patterns. It projects overlapping circular shapes that repeat till they form other geometric shapes. The lap is powered by an electric cable and is fitted with an LED bulb for lighting.
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Galaxy Gourd LampThe Galaxy Gourd lamp features circular projections that remind me of faintly of the galaxy, hence the name.
Available for Purchase -
Fish Gourd LampWhen making a gourd lamp, the gourd is prepared, designed then drilled to allow the design to project when powered. The Fish Lamp Features several fish silhouettes depicting fish that are swimming all around it. It is accented with blue beads to signify the ocean, and red and brown beads for the eyes of the fish.
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Africa Gourd LampThe Africa Lamp is a made out of a tall gourd. It features the African map in front and circles in the back which casts projections on nearby walls. The design comes alive once its LED power is turned on.
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The Blood At The Cross Gourd Lamp.The blood at the cross gourd lamp is a tall lamp that projects angels wings when powered on. It is a part of the Psalm 91 collection, hence the angel wing theme. This lamp is powered by LED.
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Signature Gourd LampThis is a gourd lamp whose design was carefully researched and executed. Captured within the design is a sense of minimalism, floral hints and practicality.
Original Gourd Art Work
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Anto Gourd VaseThe Anto gourd vase featurs various techniques. First the gourd was cut and cleaned, designed, wood burned and dyed. After that, it was hand carved to achieve a relief effect
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Sankofa Covered Gourd BowlThis colorful colored gourd bowl features four Sankofa birds on each side of the lid. Spiral colorful likes adds a whimsical feel to a traditional design. Techniques used include wood burning and dyeing
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Covered Fall Leaf Gourd BowlsThese two colorful covered bowls are made of natural gourds. The leaves are wood burned and carved into intricately cut gourds, also made for Fall season lovers
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Owl Gourd VaseThe Owl Gourd Vase is wood-burned, caved and dyed, with an image of an own owl perched on a branch at night. The background is painted ocean and sunset background.
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Ghana Map Gourd Vase 2023This is a tall gourd vase made in 2023. I used red gold green, colors of the Ghanaian flag and made demarcations like one would see on a map. The vase is also embellished tastefully with rhinestones.
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Gourd Vases From The "Patina Strong" Collection 2021The Patina Strong" Collection included several gourd vases made by Trustina which shared the common theme of patina. Trustina achieved the looks by juxtaposing her signature bright colors with the weathered effect that patina gives. Techniques used include carving, painting and the use of patina to create a (beautiful) weathered effect on different parts of the gourds in the collection.
Available for Purchase -
David's Song Gourd VaseDavid's song gourd vase, is a gourd in its natural color, with wood-burned angels wings, flowers and an inscription of part of psalm 91., with a glossy finish.
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Michael's VaseMichael's vase is part of the Psalm 91 Collection, which is a collection dedicated to exploring angelic representation. It is a large gourd vase with carved white feathers and colorful background.
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Kente Gourd VaseThis small 'Kente" gourd vase was made with inspiration from the Ghanaian kente cloth and Ghanaian traditional wedding dress. I hinted at a silhouette of a woman's dress with the frontal design.
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Adinkra Gourd VasesThe vases in this picture features two Adinkra Symbols: Gye Name and Duafe. Techniques used include wood butning, dying and painting
Below are photos from some of my Community Engagement, Teaching Gourd Art, and Vending
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Gourds By Fafa At The Smithsonian Museum of African Art December, 2025A photo of vending booth of Trustina's studio, Gourds By Fafa at The Smithsonian Museum of African Art, 2025 during the African Art Marketplace
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Gourds By Fafa At The Smithsonian Museum of African Art, December 2025A photo of vending booth of Trustina's studio, Gourds By Fafa at The Smithsonian Museum of African Art, 2025 during the African Art Marketplace
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Trustina At The Creative Alliance, Baltimore , December 2025A photo of vending booth of Trustina's studio, Gourds By Fafa at The Creative Alliance, Baltimore , December 2025
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Gourds By Fafa At The Hosanna School Museum, June 2025A photo of vending booth of Trustina's studio, Gourds By Fafa at The Hosannah School Museum, Darlington, MD during Juneteenth celebration, 2025
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Gourds By Fafa At The Center Stage During community Night, October 2025A photo of vending booth of Trustina's studio, Gourds By Fafa during Community Night at Center Stage, Baltimore, MD 2025
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Gourds By Fafa At The Barn At Wellspring Manor and Spa, 2025A photo of vending stand of Trustina's studio, Gourds By Fafa's permanent display at Wellspring Manor and Spa, where she displa
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Trustina and Her Students Posing for a Photo at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, July, 2025Trustina and Her Students Posing for a Photo at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, July, 2025
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Trustina Teaching a Student How To Cut A Gourd Open At Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, July 2025Trustina Teaching a Student How To Cut A Gourd Open At Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, July 2025
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Gourds By Fafa At Artscape - 2024A photo of vending booth of Trustina's studio, Gourds By Fafa at Artscape '24
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Gourds By Fafa At Artscape 2024A photo of vending booth of Trustina's studio, Gourds By Fafa at Artscape '24
