Feminism as a Model in Pottery: Contribution of Women to the Preservation of Pottery Heritage
Keywords:
Gender Roles, Seashells, Male Dominance, Indigenous Pottery, Contemporary Pottery.Abstract
In Ghana, estimated populations of about 51.4% are women. Majority of these women are engaged in petty trading, craftwork, menial jobs and farming, with unsecured sources of income. This study investigates the contribution of women in the preservation of pottery. The practical activities carried out to achieve the objective of this research was based on development of conceptualization, gathering of materials, forming techniques, firing and decoration. The study identifies the seashell as a metaphor to address the roles women play in pottery production. The seashells are used as feminine symbols that revive female participation in modern pottery production that has been dominated by males. It is recommended that in order to optimize the contribution of women in the preservation of pottery, it is important to design programmes and policies that would empower women to become independent and self-sufficient. This study suggests that, this can be achieved when alternative livelihoods such as access to finance, capacity building, training and development, and technical services are created.
References
J. A. Peprah and R Boohene, "Women, Livelihood and Oil and Gas Discovery in Ghana: An exploratory Study of Cape Three Points and Surrounding Communities," Journal of Sustainable Development, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 185-195, 2011.
M.L. Ross, "Oil, Islam and Women," American Political Science Review, vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 107-123, 2008.
R and N. Pippa Inglehart, Rising Tide: Gender Equality and Cultural Change Around the World. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
B. Popik. (2012) If You Educate a Woman, You Educate a Nation. [Online]. http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/if_you_educate_a_woman_you_educate_a_nation
G. Mutume, Africa women battle for Equality, 2005, African Renewal.
M. Kaneko, "Transmigration Among Aari Women Potters in Southwestern Ethiopia and the Accumulation of Experience in Pottery-Making Techniques," African Study Monographs, no. 46, pp. 81
E. Cooper, Then Thousand Years of Pottery, 4th ed.: British Museum Press, 2000.
R.S. Rattray, Religion and Art in Ashanti. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1927.
Becker, Zones of Contention: Essays on Art, Institutions, Gender and Anxiety. New York: Suny University Press, 1996.
B. Quinn, Mid-century Pottery , 1st ed. London: Coran Octopus Ltd, 2004.
M. Schor et al., "Contemporary Feminism: Art Practice, Theory, and Activism--An Intergenerational Perspective," Art Journal, vol. 58, no. 4, 1999.
V. Lu, "The Rise of Feminist Awareness and the Feminist Art Movement in Taiwan," International Feminist Journal, no. 15, pp. 36-44, 2002.
E. Mermann-Jozwiak, "The German Feminist Movement and the Question of Female Aesthetics," Women's Studies International Forum, vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 615-626, 1993.
J. Shaw, "Why Does Feminism Matter to Aesthetics?," Postgraduate Journal of Aesthetics, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-11, 2005.
R. Shusterman, Pragmatist aesthetics: Living beauty, rethinking art. Oxford: Blackwell, 1992, vol. 27.
A. Jones, Sexual Politics: Judy Chicago
M. Vincentelli, Women and pottery: Gendered vessels.: Manchester University Press, 2000.
E. A., Adjei. K, Opoku-Asare, N. A. Asante, "The Theoretical and Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Kpando Women
M. C. Berns, "Art, history and Gender: Women and clay in West Africa," African Archaeological Review, vol. 11 , no. 1, pp. 129-148, 1993.
B. LaDuke, Africa Through the Eyes of Women Artists. Trenton, New Jersey: Africa World press, Inc. , 1991.
S. J. E. Tourtillott, 500 Ceramic Sculptures: Contemporary Practice, Singular Works. New York: Lark Books, 2009.
S. Peterson and J. Peterson, The Craft & Art of Clay: A Complete Potter
S. R. Waxman, "Contemporary Approaches to Concept Development," Cognitive Development , vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 105-118, 1991.
R. Hopper, Functional Pottery: Form and Aesthetic in Pots of purpose.: Krause Publications Craft, 2000.
M. E. Mckay, "Engaging feminism: A pedagogy for Aboriginal peoples," University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Doctoral Dissertation 2005.
S. P. Dance, Shells: the visual guide to more than 500 species of seashells from around the world. Canada: Stoddart Publishing Co. Ltd, 1992.
A. Tiara-Passfield, "The uses of shells in traditional Tuvaluan handicrafts," Traditional Marine Resource Management and Knowledge Information Bulletin, vol. 7, 1996.
C. L. Weida, Re-searching Ambivalence and Female Potters.
B. Elder, Today
M. D. Vicchio, Postmodern Ceramics.: Thames & Hudson Inc., 2001.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors who submit papers with this journal agree to the following terms.
