Unique Hand Crafted African Calabash Relief Panel 'Balase Dogon Board' Item ID: 2671800969

Name: Unique Hand Crafted African Calabash Relief Panel 'Balase Dogon Board'
Brand: Ayoma Alhassan
SKU: 2671800969
Price: 139.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$139.99

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About this item

"Dogon boards were traditionally placed on doors, and incorporated animal and human symbols to protect the entrance to the home. The Dogon are an ethnic group living in the central plateau region of Mali, in Western Africa. Artisan Ayoma Alhassan presents his interpretation of a Dogon board, incorporating male figures that depict how strong the men are in working to take care of their women, female figures representing the carriers of the next generation, and a tortoise. The artisan names his original relief panel Balase, which means 'unity' in the Bulsa tongue. The panel's raised motifs are formed from hardened calabash."

Item detail

1.65 lbs
21 inches H x 8.8 inches W x 1.2 inches D
Calabash
plywood
charcoal
glue
Features a rustic
rugged finish
Hand-crafted item -- color
size and/or motif may vary slightly
Intended as wall decor

Made in Ghana

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Ayoma Alhassan

"In line with my work, I met a lady whom I married, and we had two kids. Unfortunately, she is now dead, but I remarried because I was still young. My dream for the future is to revamp my old workshop. Art for me is a passion, and so I will be teaching more and more youth. I have also taught my son to do the calabash art finishing. My aim is to continue building on my creative skills.”

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Ayoma Alhassan

Ayoma Alhassan wood masks, sculptures and home accents

“I am Ayoma Alhassaan. I was born in Nima, a suburb of Accra. My mum was a trader and my dad a gardener. I come from a very large family; I have 5 siblings. I am a very hardworking artist. After form 3, I didn't continue with my education. A friend of mine convinced me to travel to Lagos, Nigeria, and that was why I didn't continue with my education. I had to work in a harbor. From Lagos I went to Libya, and later I returned to Ghana to learn art and finishing at the Accra Art Centre. That was where I also learned to design calabash pieces, and I have now mastered the craft.

"In line with my work, I met a lady whom I married, and we had two kids. Unfortunately, she is now dead, but I remarried because I was still young. My dream for the future is to revamp my old workshop. Art for me is a passion, and so I will be teaching more and more youth. I have also taught my son to do the calabash art finishing. My aim is to continue building on my creative skills.”

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