会议名称：2013世界木材日研讨会(2013 World Wood Day Symposium)
会议时间：2013年3月19-20日
会议地点：Karimjee Hall, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
报 告 人：Eric Appau Asante
　　　　　Lecture/ Senior Member, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Abstract
The art of wood carving has originally been culture-sensitive globally and artists for that matter art carvers present much of ‘themselves’ (their culture) in their works than they do for other cultures. However the situation today seems to be changing in most African Countries from traditional to neo-traditional, ultimately because the art now seems to be directed by the market forces which is driven by ‘foreign taste’. Many writers have observed a decline in the production of wood carvings in most carving centers in Ghana. Yet there is so much artistic production in wood still going in Africa and for that matter Ghana. The intension of the researcher is to investigate the development and sources of inspiration influencing wood carving at Aburi, and also find out the carving techniques that are employed at the center and how they can be enhanced and documented for the younger generation to build on. In conducting this study the qualitative research methodology was employed with the aid of direct observations, interviews and library research. The researcher made use of the purposive sampling technique in selecting the sample for the study. The study revealed that the growth of the neo-traditional center could be attributed both to internal and external factors. It is recommended that the Center for National Culture should support the carving center in their attempt at promoting the art of wood carving, by providing them with funding, transport and space for production and exhibition.

Speaker Profile
Dr. Eric Appau Asante is senior member and lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Having his PhD in African Art and Culture, he specializes in the teaching of African Art and culture; Art, Nature and Religion; Cultural Anthropology; Art history; and Philosophy of Art and Education. He has had wide experience in relating nature to culture. For the past seven years, he has concentrated his efforts on studying about Symbolism in African art and culture, wood in the perspective of culture and Art and memorial culture. He is currently the National Coordinator for Wood Culture Society, Ghana.