John Goba Naissance: Weaver of Quill and Color John Goba Naissance, born in Makeni, Sierra Leone in 1944, emerged from the rich artistic traditions of Mende culture to become one of Sierra Leone’s most distinctive sculptors. His work transcends mere representation; it embodies a profound engagement with folklore, ritual symbolism, and the transformative power of material—primarily epines de porc (porcupine quills)—to create mesmerizing visual narratives. Naissance's artistic journey began amidst the backdrop of Sierra Leone’s turbulent history, marked by colonial rule and civil conflict. De…