Going Out in Style: The Folk Art of Fantasy Coffins

Speaker:

Eric Adjetey Anang

15 Sep 2014

8:00 PM

Great Hall, Memorial Union

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Eric Adjetey Anang is Ghana's leading fantasy coffin artist and the grandson of Seth Kane Kwei, who helped found the folk art tradition. Unique to Ghana and more specifically to the Ga people, fantasy coffins are functional, customized coffins sculpted and painted to be figures or objects that represent the deceased. For example, a fisherman might have a coffin formed like a fish, or an airplane shape might symbolize someone who always hoped to travel. Ghanaian fantasy coffins are exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the world and have been featured in National Geographic, on CBS Sunday Morning, and in several international documentaries. Eric Adjetey Anang will be an artist-in-residence in Iowa State University's Integrated Studio Arts Department, Sept. 15-19.

As an artist-in-residence, Anang will demonstrate his traditional woodworking processes while creating a fantasy coffin unique to Iowa. He will work on the lower level patio behind the Design Building during the mornings: 8-11 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and 9:30-11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. The demonstrations are open to the public.