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Words you will learn: After reading this chapter and
• fibre practicing its activities, you will be
• mixed media able to:
• collage 1. make functional crafts basing
• utilitarian on the cultural setting for sale.
• social well-being 2. discover that your natural
• synthetic environment contributes to
You will need the peoples’ well- being.
• sketch pad/note book 3* use the natural environment
• pencils based on the African cultural
• glue elements to make utilitarian
• cutting tools artworks.
• computer with 4. apply your knowledge of
internet access or preserving the natural
library access environment in the making
• fibres and presenting of artworks.
Introduction ^ g wQvep object made out of natural
m Uganda almost every t0 create attractive
Thereafe many natur^aNygrowin^fibresu^^ ^ ^ ^
p”»” “sed in lengths er parts (strands,. They are a,so 1 Id fibres called Syn.h«lc Sometimes, .he two fibres can e used In , mixture, but culturally the natural fibres are used separately
and independently.
African woven artworks, for example, baskets are usually made of different materials like grass, vines, leaves, raffia, papyrus etc.
The techniques used are often quite complex and are similar to the methods used in textile weaving. They are used for a variety of different purposes ranging from carrying harvested crops from the fields, food from the market, goods for sale and also for storage. What other artworks in your locality is made out of natural fibres? What is the purpose of the artwork to the community?
Figure 8.1; Woven articles to serve various purposes
fj,ui puses
Weaving is not only used to make baskets, it is also used in the mat of other objects such as mats, containers, stools and even shields shows the creativity of people when it comes to creating items everyday use which end up becoming pieces of art.
Sh°W4S, h6 gh °’Craftsmanship involved in the design and creation. All things used at home made of the natural environment are
part of a very long tradition. It is wonderful to learn weaving as a tradition that you should carry on. It can be a symbol of your identity’ The product can be used for retail sales or developed further into furnishing or home decoration items. You are connected to the past through this tradition.
Activity 8.1:
Discovering Fiber arts
Study Figure 8.1 and do this activity:
1. List the materials that you think were used to make objects in figure 8.1
2. Mention five objects seen in the photograph and their purpose in daily life
3. Apart from the baskets, what other contribution is made by the natural environment to the social well- beingof people?
4. What shows that these objects are made of African people?
Weaving Techniques
Figure 8.2: Images of weaving techniques
Making a woven craft requires you to learn basic techniques. The production processes referred to as a technique will be determined by the nature of the object intended to make, mate
available, and tools.
d in many of the woven crafts. There are four major techniques use of rand Qr cros$ ^
These include: Coiling, plaiting, twilli g
chequer board. techniques of weaving. Have you
Figure 8.2 shows the four common techmqu
ever seen objects done using any of these tec ni
Table 8.3: Weaving techniques Making Woven Articles
Weavingcan be interestingto learn. You need to prepare to have the necessary materials with you. The traditional fibres used in basketfy reflect the local environment. They include palm, sisal leaves and fibre, raffia (African bamboo), fibrous tree and climbing plant such as vines, palm leaves, cane, and papyrus. Depending on the article you intend to weave the technique may be different. Study figure 8.2 for different techniques.
The weaving technique itself has had many innovations, with more thsfl
two strands woven at once to add variety, texture and pattern art work.
There are a few techniques generally categorized by the materials that are used for weaving.
Table 8.3 explains them. Do research ♦,* *• . »h<>«e
* . . , v research to find out about tries*
techniques and materials
Figure 8.3: Patterned woven boskets
Making a woven craft requires you to learn basic techniques. The production processes referred to as a technique will be determined by the nature of the object you intend to make, materials available, and tools.There are four majortechniques used in many of the woven crafts.
Patterning can be in the form of decorative bands or geometric shapes; lozenges, triangles, diamonds, star or flower shapes, zigzags, swirls or chequer board motifs. The design of the pattern can be emphasized by the use of different contrasting colours or the fibre can be left in its natural state producing lovely textural effects. Study figure 8.3.What reflects African context and influences in the crafts shown in Figure 8.3?
Activity 8-2:
Making woven articles
Under the &**«” °,,l’e J^any of *e wea’/ing technic’ues
1. Design a small basket u %’ { e[ements.
preferred based on Ar.c ,0 practices not to affect the
2. Apply environmentally rebp
Expl„reepSSof se.ling.he products and write a repo, Che findings.
Maintaining Continuous Supply of Materials
The environment is our source of materials we need to keep making woven articles. If harvestingthe materials from the natural environment is not controlled, soon it will not be possible to make art. As you access the environment for the required materials, be aware of protecting the source of your material supply. Acting irresponsibly on the environment as you harvest materials will destroy it. You need to be sure of a steady and continuous supply by guarding your environment which is a source of raw materials.
Keeping the Working Environment Clean
The preparation and use of materials from the environment is n>
unwl Jt°H IP rV ’nStances PreParation of materials lea’ > m unwanted parts httered all over the place. The practice of cl eM”* working places keeps germs and Hie e practice ot c
values of living in healthy and safe places.^ ^ ^
Integration Activity
Context: In your school dining room learners use improvised ways of getting snacks served to accompany tea. Some fold paDers „,h \
their hands. Using the knowledge you ha.e on using local ££££ »eave 3 dimensional objects and, ideas drawn from the local artists and your research, design a small patterned and utilitarian basket embodied with African style for serving snacl<s in the djoi
any local material and technique of weaving to suit your choice. ‘ Chapter Summary
In this chapter you have learned to:
1. Make use of your natural environment to make woven objects that contributes to the people’s well- being.
2. Follow the stages for creating utilitarian artworks using materials
from the natural environment based on the African cultural elements.
3. Apply your knowledge of preserving the natural environment in the making and presenting of artworks.