I was searching for Korhogo cloth images today when I
came across some neat Senufo bird sculptures. I had
been familiar with the hornbill sculptures for quite
some time. I found these Sejen ones online today:
Instead of mounting your paper mache bird (or ceramic
bird) with two long skinny legs - mount with one dowel
into a wood base and you have a symbol of
hard work for your classroom. I am going to make
another Senufo inspired bird for my garden. One can't
have too many birds (smile). My hubby and I
saw some of these (in Santa Fe) and liked them - I
just didn't know anything about them at the time.
The Marvin Bartel way would have you make abstract
bird/animal sculptures with the students - THEN show
the images. With cultures, I liked to teach about the
culture first and get the meaning across first. You
can do it either way with your students.
I would like to hear about it if anyone does African
inspired abstract sculptures.
