Women and Ceramics in Ghana

Abstract

Women have played a great deal of role in the ceramic traditions of Ghana and beyond. The practice of ceramics in Ghana indigenously has been women-centric. Though ceramics is intimately associated with women in a traditional context, they have been marginalized in academic, contemporary art, and indigenous settings. The study looks at the shift in gender dynamics of ceramics, especially for attaining the goal of advocating for women ceramic artists in academia and practice. Data was collected using a survey, interview, and observation. The study revealed that women in ceramics have not been in mainstream academia due to issues with terminal degrees, a shift from the ceramic field, cultural and structural challenges, and low history in exhibitions, publications, and residencies. They also have difficulty setting up, unavailability of jobs in the industry, inadequate role models, lack of mentorship, and technological challenges have caused a shift from women-centric to male dominated practice. A model was developed to address this shift and to spur collaboration between women in academia and indigenous industry.