At The African Hand, we celebrate the master artisans behind our authentic African sculptures. Each piece tells a story of heritage, skill, and passion. Here are five remarkable artisans from five different countries who bring traditional African art to life.
Kofi Boateng – The Master Woodcarver (Ghana)
Location: Ahwiaa, Ghana (the heart of Ghana’s woodcarving trade)
Craft: Traditional Akan Wooden Sculptures
Yaw Boateng’s hands have shaped sacred wood into art since childhood, learning from his father in Ahwiaa village – Ghana’s legendary woodcarving hub. Specializing in Akan royal stools and symbolic figurines, he transforms sese wood and tweneboa timber into pieces that embody proverbs, history, and community values.
His workshop trains young apprentices in time-honored adze-carving techniques, ensuring the survival of a craft that has adorned Ghanaian palaces and homes for centuries. Each sculpture – whether a stool for elders, or a wooden mask – carries the weight of tradition and the warmth of human touch.
Aïssata Coulibaly – The Textile Sculptor (Ivory Coast)
Location: Korhogo, Ivory Coast
Craft: Senufo Mud Cloth Figures
Aïssata Coulibaly merges Senufo textile art with sculpture, creating unique mud cloth-wrapped figures. Her work reflects the Senufo belief, using handwoven fabrics and natural dyes. Each piece is a fusion of Ivorian craftsmanship and modern design.
Amadou Keita – The Young Woodcarver (Mali)
Location: Segou, Mali (historic center of Malian woodcraft)
Craft: Precision Wooden Architecture & Furniture
Amadou Keita comes from six generations of master carvers in Segou, specializing in:
Signature Creations:
Hand-carved doors and shutters featuring iconic Bozo motifs
Modern interpretation of traditional Bamana stools with ergonomic designs
Custom conference tables incorporating Malian geometric patterns
Decorative screens using interlocking joinery techniques
Bamba Diop – The Stone Carver (Senegal)
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Craft: Serer Stone Sculptures
Mamadou Diop carves Serer stone sculptures, inspired by Senegal’s ancient megaliths. His work captures ancestral figures and animal totems, using locally sourced basalt. Each sculpture is a tribute to Senegal’s rich heritage, blending history with artistry.
Layla Hassan – The Skilled Woodturner (Egypt)
Location: Damietta, Egypt (renowned for its woodworking heritage)
Craft: Functional & Decorative Wooden Artistry
Layla Hassan is one of Egypt’s very few if not the only female master woodworker, preserving Damietta’s 500-year-old furniture-making traditions while innovating for modern homes.
Her Signature Work Includes:
✔ Lattice-screen room dividers – Inspired by mashrabiya (traditional Arabic woodwork) but with contemporary geometric patterns
✔ Olivewood serving boards – Hand-turned using Nile Delta-sourced wood, finished with food-safe citrus oils
✔ Adaptable nesting tables – Featuring Kufic script-inspired inlays
✔ Children’s educational toys – Alphabet blocks carved from sycamore fig