International Journal of Innovative Research and Development

Abstract

Traditional textiles can be appreciated for their realistic and abstract communicative qualities, as other art forms are understood to express. This paper aims at utilizing the communicative abilities of culturally imbedded motifs found in Sirigu mural paintings to produce a culturally symbolic textile. Culture is expressed in textiles through colour, motif and words and Sirigu motifs are no exception. The study seeks to establish the fact that Sirigu symbols (normally seen as a mural wall painting in northern Ghana) can be transferred onto fabrics capable of meeting the contemporary concepts of textile design print. The study employed both the descriptive and experimental methods to produce screen design prints as a means of communicating and popularizing this northern Ghana symbolic concept in the Ghanaian market. It explored the use of cellulosic material (mercerized cotton) and printing inks to produce fashionableclothing’s. The result of the study indicates that Sirigu symbols can be transferred onto fabrics to be used as a “language of metaphor,” and also as a cultural aesthetic art piece capable of competing favourably with other metaphoric fabrics. The concept could be explored further to inspire and educate producers as well as students to increase innovation. Discussions were based on theoretical, academic, historical, cultural, philosophical and artistic contexts. The textile produced showed ingenuity, inventiveness, diversity, contrast, harmony, multiplicity, stability as well as capturing the communicative dynamics inherent in metaphoric fabric design print.

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Abstract

The study seeks to establish the fact that both the traditional designs (mostly drawn from symbols in Adinkra cloth and woven Kente)and contemporary concepts blend well aesthetically and metaphorically irrespective of the medium used in Ghanaian artistry. The study employed both the descriptive and experimental methods to produce a sample of such contemporary works to popularize this concept in the Ghanaian market. It explored the use of non-conventional materials (wood, metal oxides, and glass) integrated into a biscuit fired ware. The result of the study indicates that the new materials enhanced the texture and aesthetic qualities of the product produced but still maintained its metaphoric significance.Thisobviously means that other aesthetic concepts could be explored to inspire and educate producers as well as students to increase creativity. Discussions were based on theoretical, academic, religious, social, historical, cultural, philosophical and artistic contexts. The piece showed originality, contrast, harmony, multiplicity and stability, and as well captured the aesthetic energy inherent in ordinary materials. The research proved that the metaphorical significance of traditional symbols still have enormous import for contemporary concepts to improve the marketability of Ghanaian works of art. 

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