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Enhancing folk pottery through transcultural product design innovation in Islamic contexts : The cases of Ghana and Brunei Darussalam
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Abstract:
In today's interconnected world, where people from different cultures interact more than ever, cultural diversity has been pivotal in shaping how individuals perceive, exchange, or adopt socio-cultural characteristics from other cultures. As a result, creating a transcultural product design has become an intricate process that requires a profound understanding of users' identities and cultural differences, such as values and beliefs. Against this background, this study aims to enhance selected folk pottery models and ornamental designs from Ghana and Brunei Darussalam by utilizing transcultural product design innovations that agree with Islamic values and beliefs. Hence, our focus was harmoniously integrating gracefully crafted and culturally sensitive Bruneian decorative patterns with modern technological innovations to enhance selected Northern Ghanaian folk pottery designs in Islamic contexts. The study was conducted qualitatively, employing ethnographic and practice-based research methods. These methods were chosen for their immersive nature, allowing for comprehensive data collection, evaluation, creative experimentation, and reflection. In addition, we augmented our study with a transcultural product design innovation framework, which proved to be a valuable tool for enhancing the aesthetic appeal, functionality, and symbolical meanings of Northern Ghanaian folk pots for a broader range of users, particularly those in Islamic cultural contexts. According to our findings, Northern Ghanaian folk potters prioritize the functionality of their pottery over its aesthetics. Each of the various shapes and forms of the pottery holds unique cultural and traditional African religious values and beliefs, making each piece functional and deeply meaningful. Furthermore, our research findings revealed that artisans in Brunei Darussalam approach their decorative patterns as an integral and fundamental aspect of their crafts rather than standalone works of art. By incorporating these patterns into their crafts, they produce aesthetically pleasing and symbolically meaningful pieces that reflect Islamic religious traditions and Malay cultural expressions. In summary, after conducting a comprehensive analysis of decorative patterns on artefacts from Brunei and comparing them against Northern Ghanaian folk pottery, it has become evident that the latter exhibits a unique ability to elevate ordinary objects into art forms that pay homage to the exquisite creations of Allah. By applying Bruneian decorative patterns and modern technological advancements, we have successfully developed and enhanced two variations of Northern Ghanaian folk pots, including the indoor decorative neck pot lamppost and the coffee table integrated dependent pot speaker. These pots meet the global standards of consumers, including those within the islamic context.
Description:
XXiii, 322 pages : illustrations ; 30 cm | Dissertation | Submitted tin partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Art in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam | Thesis is also available in USB flash drive and is not for loan or reference use | 502 - Thesis (PhD in Art) - Universiti Brunei Darussalam, 2024 | Includes bibliographical references page 394-311.
Date:
2024
Authors:
Yussif Iddrisu
Publisher:
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
