Visiting Artist-- Eric Adjetey Anang

International artist Eric Adjetey Anang is no stranger to lecturing students, he has been traveling across the nation speaking about his artistic process and helping groups create a unique collaborative work of art.

Eric is originally from Ghana, Africa, where he worked at his grandfather's workshop since his youth. What did this workshop create? Coffins, but not just any coffins. "Fantasy Coffins" are coffins designed specifically for the destined user and are accordingly related to their life's aspirations, profession, and family. Okadii and Okutso are elements used to create a one of a kind personal coffin. Okadii are symbols which relate to that person's stance in life, such as the symbol of power: an eagle, for a Cheif. Okutso relates to that person's clan or family.

 In 2003 Eric took over his grandfathers shop and continued the Fantasy Coffin tradition. Never intending to become rich or famous from the process, Eric does not find the price of his pieces important, he is more concerned about what the piece will be used for. Due to this Eric now takes pictures of each of his artworks so that they cannot be "taken" from him or misrepresented. In Ghana, Eric is not seen as an artist but as a craftsman, and images of his work have been pirated in the past due to this fact. In Ghana tradition, once someone purchases or commissions the work it is their creation rather than the artists'. 
In America Eric has found a different experience, one can be an individual artist and take control of your work and image easier than in Ghana. Just because a piece is sold does not mean that the artist's name is removed from its creation. However, Eric acknowledges that it is economically difficult to be an artist in America and keep up with the many taxes and lack of market for amateur artists.

Eric has stated that his various visits to universities have allowed him to learn from the student artists he meets. Experimentation with power tools, new woodworking techniques, and artistic collaboration are all benefits he attributes to working with young artists. At Sacramento State, Eric created a coffin that was unveiled after his final public lecture. In a total of 4-5 days, Eric and his collaborators created a "Pipe Coffin" based on  René Magritte's Treachery of Images painting.

Eric's parting message was an answer to a students question, "Are you passing on this tradition to your children?" In answer, Eric told how he was not given an option to be an artist, and that he did what he had to in order to keep this tradition going and survive. People in Ghana, said Eric, do not want to learn a skill in order to survive, they want to pray their troubles away. Eric's grandfather warned him not to take up the business as it makes little money. Eric was not discouraged and is grateful that his profession which he worked so hard to continue is providing for him and his family. His young son is working with him in his workshop, learning the craft himself.