Use of Groundnut Shells (Powder) as an Alternative Sculpture Material for Fine Art in Salaga Senior High School, Ghana | Chapter 5 | Research Aspects in Arts and Social Studies Vol. 6

 The fabrics used for teaching sculpt in Salaga Senior High School (SHS) in Northern Ghana have mainly existed clay, cement and wood. Using only these fabrics comes with different limitations. The harsh weather restraints, monotony in the use of the alike materials over long periods and the failure to purchase other matters as they are expensive and inaccessible to undergraduates due to the inadequate capital in purchasing fabrics for studio work have been the main challenges to the productive teaching and knowledge of sculpture in the Salaga SHS. This necessitated an asking into groundnut structures which are abundant in the Salaga society and could be secondhand as a viable sculpture material but is threw away by burning or dumping accompanying consequent loud noises. Through quasi experimental means of inquiry, the scientists used groundnut structures powder with picked binders to determine their suitability for shaping, casting and chiselling. The groundnut shells powder was adapted by collecting, separating, drying, and milling. They conducted a workshop test for the chemical composition and toxicity of the nut shells. The scientists mixed the groundnut structures powder with picked binders in producing aesthetically pleasing formed, cast and carved everything. The findings revealed that nut shells powder is harmless and suitable for sculpture. Groundnut structures powder reacted positively with cassava vigor, Styrofoam, white adhesive (Top Bond), contact adhesive type-99 glue and artificial resin. The done works were strong and smooth to transport. Sculpture teachers and undergraduates of Salaga SHS and other schools as well as those in after second institutions in Ghana are heartened to use groundnut shells (powder) as an alternate sculpt material.

Author(s) Details:

Dam Kenneth Sakoalia,
Visual Arts Unit, Department of Vocational and Technical, Bagabaga College of Education, Ghana.

Joe Adu-Agyem,
Department of Educational Innovations in Science and Technology, Faculty of Art, KNUST, Ghana.

Dorothy Akpene Amenuke,
Department of Painting and Sculpture, Faculty of Art, KNUST, Ghana.

Benjamin Deffor,
Department of Visual Arts, WBM Zion Senior High School, Ghana.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RAASS-V6/article/view/9494