Add a cultural accent to the home with this wonderful wall decor from Ghana. Artisan Robert Lanyo uses rich ebony wood in his design, which he carefully hand carves into a silhouette map of Africa. The wall art is finished naturally, highlighting the lovely grain of the wood.

Please note that wood color and grain can vary substantially.

Product Features: 

• Dimension: 11.5" H x 9.5" W x 0.8" D
• Weight: 1.18
• Color: Black
• Material: Ebony wood
• Made in Ghana

Story Behind the art:
I am Robert Lanyo, a wood carver born in the Volta region of Ghana in 1978. My friends say I am hardworking, very determined and creative.

I come from a family that works in arts and crafts. I appreciate the skills of people who carved and I wanted to learn the craft.

I was taught to carve in school. After completing secondary school, I had no one to help me continue my education so I undertook a five year apprenticeship where I was taught by three masters. I had to work hard with determination and creativeness to master this craft, but am now an experienced carver and also craft instruments.

I eventually I founded my own school. Today, I teach my own students and I also give courses in several orphanages. I love to teach people about arts and crafts so they can learn about the importance of art in Ghana.

My materials are recycled glass beads and ebony, and my inspiration comes through meditation, nature, reading books and sometimes from people's appreciation.

I worked day and night in a friend's shop, which resulted in friction between us. But I didn't have money to buy materials or build a workshop of my own. Then I suddenly received help, which seemed to come out of nowhere and I thank God.

It was difficult when customers would buy my carvings on credit, then refuse to pay and even fight about it. At one point, people thought I was a Rastafarian and because of that, I couldn't earn a living. But I can.

I hope to meet people who will love my carvings and buy more of my work. I dream of becoming known around the world and would love to establish a formal art school. My community benefits from my craft, as I teach others, and my shop is an open market for the community. The musical instruments I craft are a source of entertainment as well.

The handmade touch of artisan skill creates variations in color, size and design. If buying two of the same item, slight differences should be expected. Note: Color discrepancies may occur between this product and your computer screen.

Imported