WOOD SCULPTURE: DESIGNING AND MEANING

Wood sculpture is the art of making figures or designs in relief or the round by carving wood. Sculptors in Ghana in designing a piece do not design just for designing sake. They attach meaning to every design they make. Some of these designs have general meaning while others are peculiar to the sculptor or the client he is working for.

The most popular and common to sculptors in Ghana is the Adinkra symbols. The Adinkra symbols are common to wood sculptors in Ghana as it has a shared meaning. These symbols are very traditional and originates from Ghana precisely, the Ashanti region. Therefore, these symbols have become common designs for wood sculptors in Ghana since most Ghanaians can allude to it.

 This is an adinkra symbol called “Gye Nyame” which means except for God. This symbol have been designed on the )ware game. There are others like the “Fawohodie” which means freedom, emancipation, and independence. There is also the “Nyame Dua” which means tree of God and “Nea onnim no sua a, ohu” which means he who does not

know can know from learning.

There are other designs that are peculiar to the sculptor. Most wood sculptors in Ghana create certain designs that over time, becomes their signature. They create these designs and give them a meaning. Some designs are also created to suit the client. They design the sculptor to suit the meaning the client wants to attach to it.

Designing in wood sculpture is not done for the fun of it or just for the beautification. It is done to give meaning to the work.

WOOD SCULPTURE: FINISHING

 Wood sculpture is the art of making figures or designs in relief or the round by carving wood. Finishing in wood sculpture means to give the piece or carving a desired or particular surface texture. Finishing forms an integral part in preparing the piece for the market. The finishes that are most common to the Ghanaian sculptor are sandpaper, potassium dichromate, water colour, shoe polish and oil paint.                                                                        A sand paper finishing

         

  Potassium dichromate also known as potassium bichromate or bichromate of potash is also another type of finish used in Ghanaian wood sculpture. It is a bright orange-red solid that is dissolved in water and used to stain wood. It is effective is staining wood that are high in tannin such as oak, mahogany   and walnut. The colour it produces depends on the wood but it is generally red to brown in colour.

Water colour is also another finish used by wood sculptors in Ghana. It is a pigment that, when mixed with water as a medium creates a type of paint. Water colour is added to vinegar until the water colour dissolves in the vinegar. The stain is used on the wood to give a slightly silvery sheen.

                                                                                                

          

A black shoe polish finishing

Shoe polish is also used in finishing by the Ghanaian wood sculptor. It is a waxy paste, cream or liquid use to polish leather foot wears to expand their lives, maintain and improve their appearance. The black and brown paste is widely used by the sculptor. It gives a dark and silvery sheen.

Oil paint is also used as a finish in wood sculpture. It is a type of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in drying oil, commonly linseed oil. The piece is taking into consideration when choosing the colour.

The sculptor therefore uses the finishes mentioned above not only to give the piece a silvery and beautiful look but also to protect it from termite.