Experimental Studio Adinkra Cloth

(NJCCCS: 1.2.12.D.1 1.2.12.A. 1-2 1.3.12.D.1- 3, 5 1.4.12.A.1-4 1.4.12.B.1-2)

Did you know? • Adinkra Cloth is a stamped fabric that is made in Ghana • Adinkra cloth is traditionally made for funerals • Adinkra stamps usually have a proverb associated with them • Adinkra stamps are made from calabashes which is a type of gourd • Adinkra artists use black dye made from the bark of a badie tree

Homework Adinkra Cloth 1: Research the history and uses of Adinkra cloth. How could you apply the creation of Adinkra cloth in today’s modern world? Discuss your thoughts in 1 written paragraph on Google Classroom.

Class Assignment: Choose a simple everyday symbol. Using ½ of a cut apple make a stamp. Follow teacher directions for carving techniques and methods. Using a brayer, roll thinned, black tempera over your apple stamp. On provided paper, stamp your design to create an interesting composition. Try overlapping and turning your stamp to add visual interest. Homework Adinkra Cloth 2: Research and explore one of the following African textile traditions: Kente cloth Adire Indigo dyed fabric In Google Classroom, explain the original purpose of your chosen textile tradition and what it is used for today. Homework Adinkra Cloth 3: Research 2 different symbols found in your culture. Share on Google Classroom the symbols for use in this project. You will use one of these symbols as inspiration for your symbol for the final print. Class Assignment: Design your own cultural stamp and background design for your personal Adinkra cloth. Fill the 4 ½” x 6” white paper with your symbol. You may also use a shape or invent a symbol that shows your philosophies, values, ideas and issues you find relevant to today’s society.

Keep the tradition of Adinkra Cloth in mind as you design!

Process: 1. Trace your finished stamp design with tracing paper. 2. Transfer the drawing, pencil side down, to your stamp (there is no need to reverse the image, as this

will naturally occur in relief printing). As a precaution, trace over your lines with Sharpie marker. 3. Carve your stamp using the demonstrated technique. 4. When your stamp is completed, glue it down to a wooden block for ease of stamping. Let dry

overnight and weighted down. 5. Cut a 12” x 24” piece of white fabric for your pillow. 6. Tape off (or free hand) and paint your background using Acrylic Paints. Leave enough room to

stamp your symbol. Let dry on the drying rack overnight. 7. Using a brayer and fabric ink, ink your brayer (on an inking tray) and roll it over the surface of the

stamp. 8. Carefully position the stamp, ink side down, on your “cloth”. 9. With firm pressure, press the stamp onto the cloth. Do not wiggle the stamp, as this will “blur” your

image. 10. Repeat the process around your cloth, until you are satisfied with your final design. 11. Lay flat to dry overnight. 12. Iron (with a piece of paper on top of your fabric) to “heat set” your design. 13. On the “wrong” side of the fabric, follow teacher directions for sewing 2 and 2/3 of the three open

sides closed using a running stitch. Sew two rows of stitches on each edge, to ensure a good hold. 14. Flip your pillow to the “right” side and carefully stuff your pillow with fiberfill, creating an even

distribution to prevent lumps. 15. Sew your remaining open edge using the over the edge stitch.

Reminder: This is about expressing cultural meaning through the use of the Adinkra Cloth.

Choose symbols and designs that have significance to your life!

Vocabulary: Adinkra – Ghanaian textiles created by printing with carved calabashes on fabric Badie Tree – a tree that grows on the northern savannah. The bark is used to make black dye. Gourd – a family of plants that includes pumpkins, melon, squash and cucumbers Proverb – a brief saying that is a general truth, fundamental principle or rule of conduct Repetition – happening more than once Symbol – something that stands for something else Tradition – behaviors that have been passed down through generations Printmaking – a process in which an artist repeatedly transfers an original image from one prepared surface to another Relief Printing – a method of printing that cuts away the sections of a surface not meant to hold ink Brayer – roller with a handle used to apply ink to a surface Fiber – thin, threadlike linear material that can be woven or spun Fabric – material made from fibers. Cloth and felt are fabrics. Fiberfill – lightweight, fluffy filling material made of synthetic fibers. Generally used for stuffing fabric.

Student Choice:

• Choice of cultural symbol • Choice of background design • Choice of stamp color(s) • Choice of final compositional elements of printed piece