Design and Production of Commemorative Ceramic Mural for Can 2008: Ghana the Host Country

Though Ghana has hosted the African Cup of Nations tournament for three times, there had not been any artistic monumental piece to commemorate the events despite the passion Ghanaians have for football. This art experimental study sought to design and produce a commemorative Ceramic mural for CAN 2008 which was hosted by Ghana.  To achieve this, intensive literature search was carried out on functional and aesthetic significance of murals which served as the theoretical framework for making appropriate drawings of scenes of activities of the tournament toward the realization of the set objectives. Field survey findings show that, modern ceramic murals do not only perform functional and aesthetic purposes but also educate the general populace on their subjects. Experiments were conducted on different clay samples with specific reference to moisture absorption, linear shrinkage, production and finishing techniques. Physical test results of Mfensi clay indicate that at 1050ºC and 1100ºC, the moisture absorption rate were 23.5% and 18.8% respectively whereas the linear shrinkage at the same temperatures were 3.5% and 5.8%. However, the study considered firing at 1100ºC due to low absorption rate which could withstand hash weather. Based on the field survey findings and physical experimental results, a 6x8 feet mural was produced not only to commemorate the event but expected to add aesthetic appeal to its setting and educate the general public on CAN 2008.