"The story of the fantasy coffin begins in 1950s colonial Ghana. In Ghana, chiefs are often transported via palanquins (also known as sedan chairs) during traditional festivals. In the 1950s, Seth Kane Kwei, a young carpenter, made a palanquin in the shape of a cocoa pod for one such chief. Unfortunately, the chief died unexpectedly before the festival, so he was buried in the palanquin instead. At his funeral, the unique coffin drew many admirers. Today, the workshop is owned by the descendants of Seth Kane Kwei and managed by his grandson, Eric Adjetey Anang, artist and master coffin maker." [posted: Nov 20, 2022]

Website for Nigerian textile artist Nike Davies Okundaye. "While she is known for her colorful batik and paintings that offers a modernist gloss on traditional themes, she was brought up amidst the traditional weaving and dying practiced in her native village of Ogidi in Western Nigeria. Her fame as an artist and teacher has taken her all over the globe." Her website has information about the various art centers she established in Nigeria to train artists and the tours offered to overseas visitors. [posted: Mar 05, 2004]

Ousmane Sow is a Senegalese artist whose work has been well received and admired throughout the world. His web site provides an extensive overview of his life and works, with many photographs, video clips, interviews and writings. And also his children's drawings... [posted: Mar 04, 2004]

"Victor was born in Edo State, Nigeria; a place rich in folkloric tradition and materials. As a young boy, he was privileged to witness many festivals that were highly spiritual; these now form the pillars and bedrock of his creativity." Victor currently lives in the United States. [hint: on his web site, click the dots below the first works in each gallery] [posted: Mar 04, 2004]

Nigerian artist Victor Ekpuk. "My interest and challenge in creating art has been to use elements of ancient African art, especially the writing systems, to express contemporary experiences. Writing and graphic symbols are the main inspiration for my style. They greatly feed the love for expressing myself with these ancient forms, particularly those of Nsibidi, an indigenous African system of communication that employs graphic signs, as well as pantomime and the placement of objects to convey concepts." [posted: Mar 04, 2004]

Originally from Nigeria, painter Yisa Akinbolaji currently lives in Canada. "Influenced by my Yoruba oral tradition and experiential knowledge, the intervention of my current work embodies the complexities of culture, identity, violence, truth, and reconciliation." [posted: Mar 04, 2004]