Ghanaian Coffin Makers

Ghanaian Coffin Makers 

Bryn Pennetti ~ Drawing: The Imagination

Beginings

-Figurative palanquins, early 20th

 century

-1950, Greater Accra Region

-Only used by chiefs/priests

-Respected symbols of family

-Spread to local use

-Kane Kwei, Ataa Oko, others

Cont.

-Represented clan/ancestors

-Spiritual symbols

-Magical powers

-Protection 

-Shows something important

to the deceased 

Materials

-Wood resistant to pests

-Ofram/ African Mahogany

-Sanded

-Coated, primed

-Painted and trimmed

-Expensive (wood)

Process Photos

Ataa Oko, 1919

-Most Famous

-Carpenter and Artist

-Inspired by Acra, began building in 1945

-Own style

-Unknown in Western cultures

-Exhibited work towards end of life

-Died 2012

Kane Kwei, 1922

-Worked in seclusion

-Made coffins for clan elders

-Art introduced to West in 1970’s

-Trained by father

-Ex: 

carved an onion-shaped coffin for village elders who made fortune in 

growing onions, also a staple of local diet

Modern Designers

-Eric Adjetey Anang

-Runs Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop

-Grandson of Kane Kwei

-Paa Joe, 1947

-exhibitions all over world

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_coffin

http://ghanacoffin.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kane_Kwei_Carpentry_Workshop

http://caacart.com/pigozzi-artist.php?i=Kane-Kwei-Samuel&bio=en&m=67