Hand Carved Wood and Raffia African Mask from Ghana 'Sweet Agbevivi' Item ID: 2671803566

Ralph Kwasi Agudze was born on January 8, 1955 in the Volta region of Ghana. He attended a Roman Catholic primary school and then went on to his secondary schooling. Since childhood, beginning at the age of ten, I was interested in arts, he says. Upon completing his middle school education, he gained employment at a textile company as a weaver between 1973 and 1995. During this period, he furthered his education by registering with the Institute of Adult Education.

In 1995, the company had to lay off some of its workers, which affected Agudze so he decided to move and learn a trade of his own. He was encouraged to pursue art by William Amede, a Contracting Project Surveyor. I was so determined to make it, it took me just a few months to learn carving and I discovered a surprising natural ability, Agudze recalls. He then established a woodcarving business. He uses files, chisels, vices, hammers, and usually prefers ebony or tick wood, depending on the kind of work he has in mind.

Agudze is married with two children, a son and a daughter, who are seriously engaged in their studies.