Enhancing the Value of Indigenous Pottery Products with Surface Decoration Methods & Macramé

Abstract

The study identifies the role of indigenous Ghanaian pottery in average homes as utilitarian vessels and indirectly as an effective means of employment in its production. It seeks to enhance its aesthetic qualities to alter its use and to increase its demand and utilization. The study employed both the descriptive and experimental methods to produce wares to popularize this concept for the Ghanaian populace. It explored the use of non-conventional materials (leather, wood, metal oxides, beads, among others) integrated into the biscuit fired wares and completed with macramé as a finishing technique. The results of the study indicate that the new materials added value and enhanced the texture and aesthetic qualities of the products produced. As such, other non-conventional materials could be explored for such products to inspire and educate producers to increase creativity. Discussions were based on theoretical, academic, religious, social, historical, cultural, philosophical and artistic contexts. The pieces showed originality, contrast, harmony, multiplicity and stability, and as well, captured the aesthetic energy inherent in ordinary materials. The research proved that the integration of traditional pottery with other materials can add value and improve the marketability of indigenous pottery wares.

Keywords: Pottery, Mixed media, Enhancing, Non-conventional, Macramé, Leather, integration