The cutting edge in Ghanaian contemporary ceramics

Abstract

This article discusses Ghanaian ceramic art and the critical interventions that are driving an emerging contemporary ceramic practice. Over the last decade (2011–22), Ghanaian ceramic art appears to have had a stagnant traditional practice and has struggled to be seen, heard and valued within local and global contemporary art discourse. Reviews and reforms of art education in college and tertiary curriculum have provided critical interventions to address this situation. Discussing the works of Japheth Asiedu-Kwarteng, Eugene Ofori Agyei, Frederick Ebenezer Okai, Alex Awuku and other artists, this article reveals how young Ghanaian contemporary ceramic artists are navigating a path to creating new artistic identities and pushing the boundaries of conventional Ghanaian ceramics. These developments also point to the meaningful expansion of ceramics in contemporary art education more generally.