Kehinde James Akanni: Carving Yoruba Designs

Hello and Welcome!

I’m Kehinde James Akanni, and I’m thrilled to invite you to my workshop on carving Yoruba patterns and motifs onto ceramic sculptures. With a B.A. in Fine and Applied Arts and over three years of experience working passionately with clay, I can’t wait to share my knowledge and love for these beautiful designs with you.

In this workshop, we’ll explore the rich cultural heritage of Yoruba patterns and motifs. These designs are more than just decorations—they carry deep meaning and historical significance. My work is inspired by my Nigerian heritage, and I’m passionate about preserving and sharing these traditional elements through contemporary ceramic art.

What We’ll Do Together:

1. Planning Your Layout: We’ll start by dividing your sculpture into sections, deciding where each design will go.
2. Drawing Designs: Next, we’ll draw the patterns or motifs that come to mind, laying the groundwork for our carvings.
3. Carving Time: This is where the magic happens! We’ll carve the designs into the clay, bringing them to life.
4. Adding Variety: We’ll repeat this process with different designs, adding layers of complexity and beauty.
5. Finishing Touches: We’ll clean up knife marks and remove any visible drawing or layout lines.
6. Final Smoothing: Finally, we’ll smooth the entire surface of the ceramic sculpture, ensuring it looks polished and professional.

What You’ll Gain:

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a hands-on understanding of how to carve traditional Yoruba designs and motifs. You’ll learn about the cultural significance behind these patterns and gain the skills to incorporate them into your own work. This experience can open up new creative possibilities, allowing you to add unique carved details to your ceramics.

What You’ll Need:

• Clay
• Carving tools
• Spatulas
• Smoothing tools

I’m looking forward to a creative and inspiring time together! Feel free to ask questions throughout the workshop; I’m here to help you every step of the way. Let’s dive into the art of carving and celebrate the beauty of Yoruba culture together.

Thank you for joining me—I can’t wait to see what we create!

Kehinde Akanni (b.1996) is a graduate of ceramics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria who had his internship at Atamora, Osun State. During the internship, he learnt the production of large flower pots, vases and water pots as well as production of ceramic refractory bricks for kiln. He was also exposed to wooden kiln firing but his appetite and hunger for excellence made him look outward for inspiration and found the works of Djakou Kassi Nathalie whose engravings influenced him greatly. He therefore decided to engrave Àdìre and Yoruba motifs and icons on his works in order to elevate his patterns and embellish his textures. These textures are inspired by my personal aim to explore the lessons and objectives of my culture as a personal lens with which I view the world. My work primarily features African themes, depicting our social, economic, and religious lives. Even at the height of civilization, I want my art to teach the foundations and maintain the richness of African culture. Kehinde has participated in a number of group exhibitions including Beyond Limit a Ceramic Exhibition, visions in clay Collective, a collective ceramic Exhibition and Yorùbá Ni Mi, an online exhibition Best of Ife exhibition.

Website: https://www.Instagram.com/keni_clays