International Journal of Innovative Research and Development

Emmanuel Mensah , Joe Adu-Agyem , Osei-Barnieh Ruby

Abstract

The aim of this research was to introduce the use of non-conventional materials for sculpture in Senior High Schools. The researchers were particularly interested in the teaching and learning of sculpture with materials that had been thrown away such as bones, drinking straws, plastic bottles and egg shells. Clay, wood and cement are the main materials that are used for the production of sculpture works at the SHS. The researchers gave opportunity to the students to explore and experiment with various materials (throw-aways) that were not traditional. The main materials used for the execution of the works were Voltic bottles, cow horns, drinking straws, egg shells, false yams and old shoes. Techniques used were gluing, piercing, painting, carving, and tying. This stirred their imagination and productivity. The study discovered that students had keen interest in working with non-conventional materials than conventional materials. It has been discovered that non-conventional materials can be successfully integrated into the teaching of sculpture at Senior High School level.

Keywords

Anisotropic, Conventional, Creativity, Non-conventional, Nomenclature

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Joe Adu-Agyem , Patrick Osei-Poku

Abstract

It should be the hallmark of every government to ensure that quality education exists in her country since education is the major tool for national development. The aim of this paper is to examine the Ghanaian educational system with the view to bringing out some of the numerous challenges and constraints that hinder its quality and standard so that appropriate recommendations could be made to arrest some of the problems. It is a fact that Ghana has experienced various forms of education since pre-colonial era. It is without prejudice to say that as the various governments make such changes with the intentions of raising the quality of life of the people, the emerging quality of education inherent in the reforms seems to be a mirage. A review of the different education reform committee reports has been done. The study has also examined all the levels of educational hierarchy namely kindergarten, primary, junior high, senior high, technical/vocational and tertiary education levels. The major findings, which include inadequate standardized human and material resources, poor management and supervision, lack of funding and poor conditions of service for employees of the educational system culminate in low productivity. In view of these, pragmatic recommendations have been made to describe the way forward for the attention of all stakeholders in education.

Keywords

Quality education, Education reform, Educational structure, Assessment, Development

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George Brako-Hiapa , Joe Adu-Agyem

Abstract

The study concerned itself with the care, storage and preservation measures for art works in selected Senior High Schools offering Visual Arts in Ghana. The research which is descriptive qualitative study specifically sought to identify, examine and analyse how students' art works are cared for and preserved to contribute meaningfully to the effective and efficient handling, display, storage, and preservation of art works in our schools. The study was conducted in forty Senior High Schools randomly selected from Eastern and Ashanti regions. The findings are discussed and analysed in descriptive form. The findings of the study revealed improper storage and preservation measures in almost all the schools owing to inadequate or lack of cases, supports, frames, and other display structures or facilities. Works were either kept or locked up in boxes, cabinets, sacks and bags, stacked on tables, shelves or on the ground. The results of the study largely confirm that the schools do not keep good track, care and proper preservation measures of students' art works, probably due to ignorance hence, some art works were in absolutely deplorable conditions.

Keywords

Preservation, Storage, Artefacts, Visual Arts

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Gordon Terkpeh Sabutey , Joe Adu-Agyem

Abstract

The study is about the Intrinsic and extrinsic values of some selected weaves of the Kente weavers among the Asantes of Ghana. The researchers employed the descriptive and case study methods to examine and discuss the relationship between the study of aesthetics and the creative and intellectual growth of learners. The study employed questionnaire, Interviews and observation as research instruments as well as analyzing' the data thematically to enhance quality of the study. The essence of art education is education through art; In this vein, a focus of the art teacher to use art as a catalyst to prepare the learner to develop holistically to be able to be a problem solver in his endeavours rather than becoming a burden to society. Moreover, it does not mean that the learner will by all means end up as an artist but rather a big asset to his community in which s/he lives. If the nation needs creative and intelligent citizens to turn it around, then art education is a great source to achieving this goal. This paper therefore, discusses aesthetic dimensions of Asante Kente through which the learner gains intellectual and creative growth in Art Education. The study has confirmed the idea that indigenous African artists and Kente Weavers of Ashanti have their own standards of Aesthetics, Appreciation and Criticism.

Keywords

Intrinsic, Extrinsic, Values, Aesthetics, Intellectual Growth

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Mavis Osei , Alhaji Y. S. Peligah , Joe Adu-Agyem

Abstract

The study which is qualitative in nature employed the historical research method, document analysis and the observation tool to examine the effects of culture on creativity in the context of the development of the child's latent creative abilities. Its aim is to put across the complementary nature of culture and creativity. Practices within the setting of a culture greatly affect the caliber of person an individual will be, since those practices shape the experiences from which he/she can draw knowledge to feed his/her creative potential. The study also points out that Creativity, a feature of behaviour that reflects uniqueness, experimentation and a spirit of exploration, goes beyond the realms of the arts and literature into every field of endeavour. ModifYing one's Culture (the human behaviour one acquires or learns in a specific setting) and avoiding conformity in the strictest sense can enhance creativity.

Keywords

Culture, Creativity, Behaviour, Education, Society, Cultural Modification

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Emmanuel Mensah , Joe Adu-Agyem , Cyril Etornam Adala

Abstract

The focus of this study was to explore and incorporate various artistic and non-artistic media into the production of metal art. The study was particularly interested in integrating more non-metallic materials that are not traditional to the production of metal art in the decoration, finishing and the protective coating of metal art works. Qualitative, descriptive and quasi-experimental methods of research we re used for the study. Basic hand forming techniques including raising, chasing and repoussé, piercing and soldering were employed in the execution of the works. Other techniques such as painting, dyeing and macramé were also used. Non metallic media that were used in the production of the works included leather, nail polish. Acrylic paint, epoxy, PVA glue, graphite, eye pencil, lagging, foam. wood, shoe polish, shoe lace, eggshell paper, spray paint, cotton cords and correction fluid, It was discovered that non-metallic media could successfully be integrated into the production of metal art thus identifying the course of traditional metal art in Ghana, particularly in KNUST.

Keywords

Mixed Media Art, Chasing and Repoussé, Raising, Lagging, Piercing, Soldering

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