Creative live talk (Anthony Amoaka Attah)

Anthony is a Ghanaian Glass and Ceramic artist.

He majored in Ceramic and industrial art.

PhD student (Art and Design) at the University of Sunderland.

During the talk on Teams, he talked about his life journey and his journey towards Glass art.

His life in Ghana

Anthony lived and grew in a community where African symbols and pattern were a part of them and hence, he was surrounded by Gold, Pattern, and colours.

After the talk, I did my own little research about the meaning and historical background behind Ghana pattern, symbols and Kente.

Kente is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips and it is originated from Ghana (Ashanti People). the fabrics were used to dress Kings and its court. Each block, pattern and colours have its meaning.

Adinkra symbols (symbols found in Ghana) are often included or found within the cloth, representing a concept or saying.

Education

His work with Glass and Ceramics began since he was in Ghana.

His artistic life began when he was taught how to paint and draw (AngloGold Ashanti School in Obuasi- Ghana 1995-2005).

Anthony did Visual Art in his senior school and specialised in sculpture and learning a bit about Graphic design. then he had a dream of becoming a teacher due to the fact, he viewed his teacher as an inspiration. (Senior High School Osei tutu-Ghana 2005-2008).

He majored in Ceramic and Industrial Art at Kwama Nkrumah University Science and Technology (Kumasi-Ghana 2009-2013)

During his time in University, he learned and was taught everything about making as well as working with Glass. such as being taught how to design, how to make glass bowl, cup, vases.

For example, the first work that he made while in Ghana ‘’ The supremacy of all books ‘’ a 75cm in height ceramic. Coming from a religious background, Anthony used the bible as a reference to signify that the bible is superior to all knowledge found in all books. The technique used is hand modelling and double fired. The materials used are clay and glaze.

Shortly after finishing University in Ghana, his expedition to the UK began, as he joined a one-year course at the University of Sunderland (2015-2016).

What I have learned

It was interesting to learn about the artist experience coming from abroad (Ghana) to the UK and the struggle that came with it. It was really inspiring watching him speak about his own struggles and life journey.

It was fascinating to hear and learn about his cultural background,

seeing how he included his own experience into most of his work as such back in 2012, he began introducing Ghnanian pattern and symbols into his work, aka in 90cm height piece called ''The royal pot '', this piece is made of clay, manganese, glaze and slip. double fired and the techniques used are slab building and wheel throwing. through the work he understood and learned about the meaning of Ghanian symbols.

Although, Anthony before coming to the UK he had no knowledge about Glass Art and he had to learn a new different way of making Glass and ceramics.

thus, learning everything over again, he didn't let it stop him from following his dreams. as a result, his first work here in the UK, titled '' Transition '' 2016 a long tapering body with several long curves made of Black china glass and ink. in this piece, he included pattern and symbols to represent each stage of his life. the techniques used are Sand Blasting and cold working and it has been fired once.