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Robert Kofi Ellis
"I love the uniqueness, simplicity and authenticity of my art. The designs I create come to me in my dreams. The ability to remain outstanding at all times is my challenge."
"I'm from Sekondi, and I design and handcraft wood and metal handicrafts and furniture. I am a talented artist and... passionate designer, as well as an accomplished entrepreneur. I am a visionary with abundant technical knowledge of the crafting world.
"I was raised by a father who loved arts and a mother who was a seamstress sewing garments for one of the big stores in Accra.
"I believe that art is an innate gift. I am attracted to anything artistic. I am into basketry in rattan, metal and wood carving. I have stayed committed to these arts since the 1980's. During these years I have trained countless number of people and some of them are currently working with me while most have set up on their own and doing very well.
"The performance of my trainees makes the competition in the business very keen. This situation has helped me to learn more and improve further to always stay on top of the carving business, which I have consistently accomplished throughout these decades.
"It has taken constant practice to master this art. I get my inspiration from comments from admirers of my products as well as from buyers' satisfaction.
"For my materials I upcycle wood cut offs and firewood, I recycle aluminum, copper, brass sheets and construction iron rods, I use rattan, acrylic paints, clay, wax polish, etc.
"I love the uniqueness, simplicity and authenticity of my art. The designs I create come to me in my dreams. The ability to remain outstanding at all times is my challenge.
"I work with family members: my wife assists me with the administrative work, my children help with packaging, while my brothers oversee production and shipments. I do everything, from designing through crafting to finishing.
"My craft has created job opportunities for artisans, material suppliers, food vendors, transporters and eventually the infrastructural development of my community.
"I have organized two carving communities where I have trained and continue to train people to produce beautiful art works in the Eastern region of Ghana.
"One of the challenges I encountered was when I had an order to make a forty footer furniture container within ninety days for shipment. After initial setbacks, I met the target date and ship the products.
"A funny experience I had was when I forgot it was my 50th birthday because there was a serious delay in production and since I work with family members we were all concerned about the delay. Fortunately the shipment date was postponed at buyers' instance.
"It is my hope, dreams and plans for the future to remain a top class artisan specializing on premium quality items for the international market."
"I was raised by a father who loved arts and a mother who was a seamstress sewing garments for one of the big stores in Accra.
"I believe that art is an innate gift. I am attracted to anything artistic. I am into basketry in rattan, metal and wood carving. I have stayed committed to these arts since the 1980's. During these years I have trained countless number of people and some of them are currently working with me while most have set up on their own and doing very well.
"The performance of my trainees makes the competition in the business very keen. This situation has helped me to learn more and improve further to always stay on top of the carving business, which I have consistently accomplished throughout these decades.
"It has taken constant practice to master this art. I get my inspiration from comments from admirers of my products as well as from buyers' satisfaction.
"For my materials I upcycle wood cut offs and firewood, I recycle aluminum, copper, brass sheets and construction iron rods, I use rattan, acrylic paints, clay, wax polish, etc.
"I love the uniqueness, simplicity and authenticity of my art. The designs I create come to me in my dreams. The ability to remain outstanding at all times is my challenge.
"I work with family members: my wife assists me with the administrative work, my children help with packaging, while my brothers oversee production and shipments. I do everything, from designing through crafting to finishing.
"My craft has created job opportunities for artisans, material suppliers, food vendors, transporters and eventually the infrastructural development of my community.
"I have organized two carving communities where I have trained and continue to train people to produce beautiful art works in the Eastern region of Ghana.
"One of the challenges I encountered was when I had an order to make a forty footer furniture container within ninety days for shipment. After initial setbacks, I met the target date and ship the products.
"A funny experience I had was when I forgot it was my 50th birthday because there was a serious delay in production and since I work with family members we were all concerned about the delay. Fortunately the shipment date was postponed at buyers' instance.
"It is my hope, dreams and plans for the future to remain a top class artisan specializing on premium quality items for the international market."
