Samuel Kane Kwei

Place: Teshie

Born: 1922

Death: 1992

Biography:

Samuel Kane Kwei

, a renowned Ghanaian artist, was born in Teshie, Ghana in 1922. He was a carpenter joiner who opened his own workshop in Teshie in 1951. Kane Kwei is considered the inventor of design coffins, also known as fantasy coffins or abebuu adekai, which are functional coffins made by specialized carpenters in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Early Life and Career

was trained as a cabinet maker and established his workshop in Teshie, a fishing village on the outskirts of Accra. He built his first decorated coffin, in the shape of a dugout, for one of his uncles, a fisherman who had owned a flotilla of them. This marked the beginning of his new funerary art and work.

Design Coffins

The design coffins created by Samuel Kane Kwei are not only functional but also considered works of art. These colorful objects, which developed out of figurative palanquins, were first shown to a wider Western public in the exhibition Les Magiciens de la terre at the Musée National d'Art Moderne in Paris in 1989.

Legacy and Impact

's lack of formal training did not affect his international popularity. He passed away in 1992, but his legacy lives on through his design coffins, which have become a symbol of African artistic creativity. The Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop continues to produce these unique coffins, and his son Sowah took over the workshop after his death.

• Design Coffins: A new funerary art form that reflects the life of the deceased.
• Figurative Palanquins: The inspiration behind the design coffins, which were used by traditional chiefs in Accra.
• International Recognition: The design coffins achieved international recognition as works of art through exhibitions such as Magiciens de la terre and Africa Explores.

Conclusion

's contribution to the world of art is undeniable. His design coffins have become a symbol of African creativity, and his legacy continues to inspire artists around the world. The Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop remains a significant part of Ghana's cultural heritage, and its impact on the art world will be felt for generations to come. https://Wikioo.org/@/Samuel-Kane-Kwei https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kane_Kwei_Carpentry_Workshop