Fabric Printing Ancient Adinkra Symbols from West Africa

Utilizing ancient Adinkra symbols, participants create and print their own fabric designs in what artist Asual Aswad calls "Talking Cloths". By means of at least six stamp symbols and colors of their own choosing, students employ a layered technique to transform a blank piece of fabric into an original work of art they can be proud of. Participants learn about the concepts of color, design, symmetry, pattern, and balance and how to use this knowledge to create a successful work of art. Water based, non-toxic acrylic paint is used with the fabric painting.