Utilisation of Metal and Glass in the Creation of Indoor Sculptures Inspired by Selected Swahili Kanga Inscriptions
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Date
2024-04
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Literary works such as phrases and sayings have been applied as a guide in society and serve as a tool to educate, teach human behavior, convey feelings, thoughts and as well entertain. Some artists, according to research have been inspired by proverbs and inscriptions to visually communicate specific attitudes and emotions through artistic works. Despite phrases and other inscriptions being used as inspirational sources in the works of art, there are no studies that indicate evidence of Swahili Kanga inscriptions that have been used as inspiration in the creation of sculptures in Kenya. In light of this gap, this study developed sculptural ideas from selected Swahili Kanga inscriptions. The developed sculptural ideas were visually illustrated into indoor sculptures using metal and glass to augment proverbial and non-proverbial selected Swahili inscriptions. The indoor sculptures were suitable for selected indoor public spaces which are public libraries, restaurants and airport waiting areas. This study applied an exploratory research design in exploring Swahili inscriptions on Kanga, where the selected Swahili inscriptions were done purposively and categorised to various themes. The intervening variables in the creation of indoor sculptures are materials, joining and finishing techniques. Tests were carried out using various techniques on metal such as welding, forging, bending and riveting. Techniques such as soldering, leading, use of glass beads and mosaic were used in the case of glass. The test results of finishing techniques such as polishing, texturing, lacquer application and painting were applied in the final creative project.
Description
A Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Masters of Arts (Fine Art) in the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University, April 2024