Handmade Wax Cotton Print from West Africa 'Adiza, Adzara and Abiba' Item ID: 2677062990

Name: Handmade Wax Cotton Print from West Africa 'Adiza, Adzara and Abiba'
Brand: Samuel Ashong
SKU: 2677062990
Price: 199.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$199.99

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About this item

"Samuel Ashong designs and creates this unique cotton print using a traditional wax-dyeing technique called batik. Wax is applied to the areas that should stay un-dyed and the rest of the material is dyed, giving every print a unique patterned design. This print depicts three young women carrying pans on their head and is a representation of the young women who migrate to the capital city of Ghana for work. The artwork is signed by the artist."

Item detail

0.65 lbs
Mat: 26 inches W x 20 inches H
Artwork: 22 inches W x 15 inches H
100% cotton
cardstock mat
Handcrafted batik art--colors and pattern placement will vary
Mat included
Signed by the artist

Made in Ghana

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Samuel Ashong

Currently I have developed my own techniques in batik production, which are labeled as "textile paintings." Reactive dyes and paraffin wax constitute the principal materials in the execution of these textile paintings. My aim was to use other materials apart from oil paints, gouache, acrylics etc., to achieve the same or better effects than would be derived in paintings. The results have been marvelous and my works could not be compared with other batiks that are seen world-wide.

"My themes are mainly of women, beach scenes and landscapes. I try to depict the daily activities of women in Africa when they get married - household chores, market life and caring for children and husbands - as the many parts of their daily responsibilities. This is the beginning of the fight for equality for the African woman.

"I have exhibited my works in the Ghanaian Contemporary Art Exhibition, IFA Gallery (Bonn, Germany, 1987), the World Y.W.C.A Art and Craft Exhibition (Arizona, 1989), the Ghanaian Contemporary Art Exhibition (Moscow, 1991) as well as throughout Ghana."

Ashong first paints his design onto cotton fabric with hot wax, covering the areas he does not wish to dye. When the fabric is crumpled into the dying solution, the wax cracks, creating an attractive network of fine lines. The wax is removed and the process is repeated for each color utilized.

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"My name is Samuel Ashong. My life as an artist was augured in primary school when I took great delight in copying or tracing pictures and other childish artworks. Even though childish, these tracings were done to precision. In college I majored in the arts, specializing in textiles and sculpture. After my university education, I joined the Arts Council of Ghana from 1986 to date.

Currently I have developed my own techniques in batik production, which are labeled as "textile paintings." Reactive dyes and paraffin wax constitute the principal materials in the execution of these textile paintings. My aim was to use other materials apart from oil paints, gouache, acrylics etc., to achieve the same or better effects than would be derived in paintings. The results have been marvelous and my works could not be compared with other batiks that are seen world-wide.

"My themes are mainly of women, beach scenes and landscapes. I try to depict the daily activities of women in Africa when they get married - household chores, market life and caring for children and husbands - as the many parts of their daily responsibilities. This is the beginning of the fight for equality for the African woman.

"I have exhibited my works in the Ghanaian Contemporary Art Exhibition, IFA Gallery (Bonn, Germany, 1987), the World Y.W.C.A Art and Craft Exhibition (Arizona, 1989), the Ghanaian Contemporary Art Exhibition (Moscow, 1991) as well as throughout Ghana."

Ashong first paints his design onto cotton fabric with hot wax, covering the areas he does not wish to dye. When the fabric is crumpled into the dying solution, the wax cracks, creating an attractive network of fine lines. The wax is removed and the process is repeated for each color utilized.

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The traditional arts are a vibrant aspect of everyday life in West Africa. From richly intricate handwoven kente cloth fabrics, to intricately colorful beaded arts, ceremonial masks, and exquisite jewelry, to traditional throne-stools hand-carved for customers by the Ashanti king's actual chief carver, artisans proudly offer their region's finest handmade works of art.

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Maker BadgeMicrocredit Financing

Samuel Ashong has received 6 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $300 and the most recent for $600. Proceeds were used to invest in the purchase of dyes and cotton for continued production.