Free and open to alL
This event is part of a series of micro residencies in The Everybody Gallery, with a range of artists working with us over the coming months. Check out this page for more information.
About the Event
Weaving Stories: Ananse Ntentan - Exploring Culture, Sustainability, and Migration
This is an online event. To receive the Zoom link, please email vaadhouse@gmail.com
Join us for an engaging online live discussion as we delve into the Ananse Ntentan project, a unique initiative that merges Ghanaian folklore, sustainability, and the resilience of the Kayayo. This event will feature a panel of artists, cultural historians, sustainability experts, we will discuss the cultural, environmental, and social themes embedded in the project.
Discussion themes:
Sustainability and upcycling in art
The importance of sustainability in creative processes
Examples of repurposed materials used in the Ananse Ntentan project
Photos © Vera Adu-Amaning
About the Project
In Ghanaian traditional folklore, Ananse the spider is the custodian of all stories. In most tales, he is depicted as an incredibly crafty and mysterious character, with his wisdom evident in the intricate webs he weaves. The body of works named Ananse Ntentan draws inspiration from this web, reflecting the wisdom embedded in the complexities of life. This collection showcases unique mixed media art forms inspired by the complexity of life depicted by the intricate web designs, vibrant colours, and symbolic shapes of Ananse’s web. These art pieces are crafted from repurposed materials, echoing the lessons learned from Ananse's tales and emphasizing the link between history and sustainability. The canvas for these works is the "Kayayo," also known as the head porter. These young women, who typically move from the northern regions of Ghana—areas severely affected by the climate crisis—to the southern part of the country in search of economic opportunities, embody the nuances of migration.
This residency contains work highlighting their resilience and power, bringing their migration stories to life and using sustainable fashion to reclaim and celebrate this narratives. The project integrates recycled materials to promote sustainability through creative fashion influenced by Ananse's web. Through participatory storytelling, workshops, and documentary screenings, the project aims to raise awareness and understanding of the Black narratives surrounding the complexities of life and migration among the local community and visitors.
About the Artist
Vera Adu-Amaning, also known as AduAmani, is an innovative fashion designer and cultural narrator from Ghana. Through her work, she celebrates the rich fabric of Black history and legacy. AduAmani uses recycled materials to create unique fashion pieces that blend bright colors, symbolic forms, and traditional African patterns into modern styles. Her art reflects the stories of Black narratives and the interdependence of knowledge and legacy. AduAmani, born in Ghana, has always felt strongly connected to her heritage. Her passion for fashion developed early when she was captivated by her neighbourhood's colorful clothes and traditional textiles. AduAmani's recent project, "Ananse Ntentan," showcases her commitment to cultural storytelling and sustainable fashion. The art pieces in this project are modelled by 'Kayayo' also known as head porter, reflecting their strength and resilience. AduAmani also emphasizes the idea of reclamation by using repurposed materials, encouraging environmental sustainability and reclaiming stories, heritage, and our relationship with the environment. Vera Adu-Amaning's distinctive designs and mentoring initiatives have been recognized by various blogs and media outlets.
For more information about Laura and her work, check out www.aduamani.com and follow @aduamani on Instagram or @AduAmani on Facebook.