Abstract:
It is widely acknowledged that, artists are creative people. They are also key to
societal growth and sustenance when it comes to promotion, preservation and
protecting societal norms and practices. The study sought to examine the professional
or personal philosophies of the selected sculptors that defined their works, challenges
faced by the selected sculptors and their major contributions to arts and culture.
Through qualitative research, an enquiry was made into the first objective discovering
their professional life, challenges faced and contributions to arts and culture. The
sculptors were interviewed using unstructured method. The population of the study
was all sculpture educators and commercial sculptors in Winneba, Takoradi and
Kumasi. For the purpose and nature of the study, respondents in the three selected
tertiary institutions which are University of Education Winneba, Takoradi Technical
University (Takoradi polytechnic) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology formed the population for sculptor educators in the study whiles
commercial sculptors in the respective towns where the institutions selected are
located formed the population for the commercial sculptors. The main sample and
sampling procedures adopted for the study was purposive sampling. Interview
schedule, observation guide and documents were the main instruments used to collect
data. The data were collected through personal interviews and observation. These
were assembled, discussed and analysed in a descriptive form. However, findings
suggest that the identified sculptors techniques of production make them unique from
one another based on their varied philosophical foundation or idea behind their works.
Also, the study also reveals that a major challenge faced by sculptors was financial
problems and combining sculpture with other professions was a major challenge
among sculptor educators. Furthermore, the results confirmed that effigies produced
by the selected artists are used for religious functions, especially in religious worship.
Other sculptures portray the rule of a leader and are used to preserve the memory of
very important events and personalities. Finally, other works are used to decorate
private homes, public buildings, gardens and parks, which serve recreational
resolutions. The study concludes that Ghanaian sculptors are contributing to the
society in terms of education, philosophy, religion and culture. Based on the findings
of the study, it is recommended that art teachers should encourage documentations of
artists who have contributed greatly to nation‟s development in all aspects of the arts
in our society since it helps in shaping our lives and culture. Written records on the
artists should be provided with the name, personal information, and photos and
description of their works should be made and published. This is not limited to
sculpture but all the areas in Ghanaian art sector.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC EDUCATION, SCHOOL OF
CREATIVE ARTS, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENT OF THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY
(ARTS AND CULTURE) DEGREE.