wearable ring

Abdulai Osman Adam reinterprets tradition with his extraordinary version of the legendary Akuaba, the fertility doll of the Ashanti people. According to legend, there once was a woman who couldn't conceive, so the village priest told her to craft a doll, dress it and look after it as she would a child. Soon she'd have a child of her own. Custom persists and many women prepare their own Akuaba doll, and when the child is born, Akuaba is given as the baby's first toy. Adam carves this sese wood sculpture by hand and adorns her elaborate headdress with African cotton batik and superbly detailed aluminum plates.

Robert Kofi Ellis designs an extraordinary version of the legendary fertility doll of Akan origin. Called Akuaba, the doll is characterized by a big round head, very short neck, open arms and a long lean body. Carved of sese wood, the sculpture is adorned with aluminum plates on the head and breasts, as well as painted red lips, eyelids and accents on her headdress.

According to legend, there once was a woman who couldn't conceive, so the village priest told her to craft a doll, dress it and look after it as she would a child. Soon she'd have a child of her own. Custom persists and many women prepare their own Akuaba doll, and when the child is born, Akuaba is given as the baby's first toy.

Through the wondrous sound produced only by the venerable violin, butterflies rise above to call for world peace. In harmony with the lively tempo played in the violin's treble clef, a delighted musician raises her posture to each note, with her luxurious dress and voluminous hair flowing in the rhythm and flowers fully immersed in listening. Balinese artist Ida Ratna Ningrum utilizes to the power of musical expression to bring life to the canvas in 'Peace of Symphony'. Painting in a realist style, Ida experiments with symbolic, yet unrealistic components such as the butterflies that emerge from song. Casting the entire musical scene with red light to symbolize love and passion, Ida suggests that the path to peace requires a harmonious symphony.