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We were first introduced to Lisa Shepard Stewart’s work through Cloth Paper Scissors, a magazine we drool over religiously, hoping some of its craftiness will rub off on us. Lisa is the author of a trio of how-to project books – African Accents: Fabrics and Crafts to Decorate Your Home, Global Expressions: Decorating with Fabrics from Around the World, and On the Go! Designing Accessories with Cultural Style – and after reading her interview about African art and craft, we knew she had so much to share with our readers. Through her company, Cultured Expressions, Inc., Lisa offers lectures, workshops, retreats and specialty merchandise. We caught Lisa just as she was leaving for a craft retreat in Jamaica. After reading her tips for incorporating African art into our homes, we’re ready to sign up for her Textile and Craft Tour of Ghana in September!

The blending of style and function is what I love most about West African art; it satisfies both my creative senses and my practical side.  In general, the crafts of the region follow the philosophy that even the simplest, most utilitarian objects should be created with this dual purpose in mind.  Even spoons, bowls and simple containers become a source of aesthetic pleasure!

Many of these objects are given even greater significance with the addition of adinkra symbols from Ghana. Adinkra symbols are stamped onto a funerary cloth of the same name, with meanings that range from spiritual messages to advice-for-life themes and proverbs.  One of the more popular, “Gye Nyame,” refers to the power of the Supreme Being — a recurring message found on carvings, textiles, metal work, drums and other crafts.  At a time when a return to the calming influence of cultural symbolism is a growing trend in modern society, decorative pieces that bring such a reflective quality to our living spaces are especially welcome.

My addiction to Ghana and its arts began in 2001, when I was invited as a guest journalist by an e-commerce company called Novica.com. They promote local artists from all around the world, letting them set their own prices, post their bios and more, to gain exposure and build a worldwide clientele.  My role on the trip was to interview their Ghana-based artists and to write about them and the Novica mission in various U.S. media.

That journey introduced me to many artists who became friends, and we stayed in touch. I realized that there was a lot in Ghana that I could offer my Cultured Expressions customers, and on my second trip the following year, I set out to find even more textile artists, especially resources that could ship goods abroad.  I visited markets, mills, shops and street stalls, and found new resources everywhere I went.  I immersed myself in the fabrics, the embellishments, and in the country’s unique creative energy.  I was hooked! You know that feeling when something is too good to keep to yourself, and you just have to share it?  Well, eventually I was led to create Cultured Expressions’ first Textile & Craft Tour of Ghana, as a way to promote its cultural riches, and to share them with like-minded fiber artists.  The second tour is set to take place this September.

It’s easy to bring home the beauty of Africa. Woven kente cloth from Ghana is the world’s most recognizable African textile art, and one of my favorite decorating tools. Traditionally the fabric of royalty, its vibrantly colored strips are woven on a narrow loom in widths of four to six inches, then sewn together to form larger cloths.  Single kente strips are a quick and colorful addition to any room setting. Wrap one like a bow around a solid color throw pillow and secure it at the back with small hand stitches. In a formal dining room setting, drape one kente strip across the back of each chair (like a sash) for a regal look.  I’ve also utilized kente strips as texture-rich quilt borders, and as mat borders in large picture frames.

I also use lots of kuba raffia fabric as a decorative accent.  Kuba is made in the Congo region of central Africa, from palm tree fibers.  It’s ideal for beautiful room accents, from pillows to table runners, wall hangings and more.

Making the most of your Afrocentric decorating adventure means becoming knowledgeable about what you’re buying, from the techniques and materials to the meanings of specific symbols and designs.  Obtain pieces from sources that can educate you about them, as well as the traditions they’re based on.

When you’re able to share interesting details about a particular decorative accent with others, your own enjoyment of the art and the culture is also enhanced.

tags: african art, cultured expressions, lisa shepard stewart

This entry was posted Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 at 2:45 am and is filed under guest contributors, style. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Feel free to leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.