International Journal of Innovative Research and Development

J. Adu-Agyem , K. A. Agyapong , K. Agyei

Abstract

The Silver-Stool of Mampong-Asante is the most important regalia in the chief’s Palace. The stool appears in public during formal occasions like Adae (festival) or installation of a new chief. A descriptive qualitative study was employed of which interviews and observations were used to investigate and gather data on the philosophical and aesthetic significance of the Silver-Stool of the people of Mampong, Asante. To ensure the credibility of data, the researchers purposively selected six (6) chiefs from Mampong-Asante in Ghana and two (2) elders from Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana and were interviewed one on one to solicit cogent information. Again, the Silver-Stool was also aesthetically observed and photographs taken to the palace. The Silver-Stool according to the findings is believed to be of an ancestral origin. The paramount chief of Mampong-Asante is the first born in the state, the leader and an occupant of the state Silver-Stool. The Silver-Stool has symbols based on proverbs which reflect on historical, political, social, religious and aesthetic values. These values inherent in the Silver-Stool can be integrated into the curriculum of formal education such as metal design to promote critical thinking, cultural understanding and appreciation thereby fostering cohesion and national integration.  

Keywords

aesthetics, education, curriculum, intangible, regalia

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G. Brako-Hiapa , J. Adu-Agyem

Abstract

The study concerned itself with the documentation of unexploited and hidden artefacts in six selected Senior High Schools offering Visual Arts in Ghana. The study which is qualitative in nature specifically sought to identify, describe, analyse and document selected artefacts produced by students as a useful resource material for aesthetics teaching and learning. The study was conducted on sampled artefacts from the six. Senior High Schools randomly selected from Eastern and Ashanti regions. Fourteen works comprising picture making, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, graphic design and jewellery were finally sampled out, discussed and analysed in descriptive form. The findings of the study revealed excellent manipulative skills and competencies exhibited by students in artefacts produced. The results of the study largely confirm that there is valuable inherent information such as philosophies, technical aspects, expressive and communicative qualities attached to the artefacts that could be exploited and utilised fully as a useful resource material for teaching and learning.

Keywords

Documentation, Appreciation, Artefacts, Visual Arts

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I. K. Agyei , J. Adu-Agyem , P. Amponsem

Abstract

This research designs and fabricates a metal mosaic wall plaque which is aesthetically pleasing and durable to complement other means of awareness creation of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Metal Scraps such as milk tins, canned mineral tins, pieces of aluminium, copper and brass sheets etc. were used for the plaque depending on the colour to be depicted in the scene using Metal Mosaic Technique. The Experimental and Descriptive research methods based on quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed in the study. The plaque as was hypothesized thus, from the designing stage, fabrication stage and the finishing stage proved to be what it was intended for with respect to helping to educate people, especially rural folks who are custodians and champions of customs and opinion leaders of the heinous practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Materials for the project were locally available but the technique was painstaking, time consuming and tedious. It is recommended that other cooperate bodies such us WHO and others who preach total annihilation of this form of practice must bring on board metal artists to produce aesthetically pleasing and intriguing scenes in the form of wall plaques to complement the campaign.

Keywords

Genita Mutilation, Fabrication, Mosaic Technique, Plaque, Tesserae

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