Kente Cloth Collage
JoAnn Giordano

Colorful West African Kente cloth is made from narrow patterned strips that are sewn together. Students are first introduced to African art and culture by studying African textiles and the symbolism of Kente patterns. After discussing pattern and repetition and learning to identify pattern in a sequence of geometric shapes, students arrange papers of various shapes, colors, and sizes to create a patterned paper collage in the style of Kente. By manipulating geometric shapes for their pattern, students explore the ideas of shape, space, color, and size relationships. If time allows, the collages may be embellished with another layer of patterning formed by marker lines and stamp prints.