Living through two pottery traditions and the story of an icon: Ladi Kwali

Abstract

The history of the development of ceramic art practice in Nigeria will always have a pride of place for Ladi Kwali for her immense role. The efforts of this iconic personality are very remarkable, especially given her rather inconsequential background. This paper very briefly examines who this personality was, her humble beginning and rise to international stardom: in effect her transition from her traditional cultural domain as a traditional potter to modernity where she was introduced to the use of western technology. It very briefly considers her works in both domains and examines the impact of the transition on her ceramic art practice. It highlights the honours she received and wished there could emerge more ‘Ladi Kwalis’ from our pottery communities through the length and breadth of Nigeria, as that would impact very positively other Nigerian pottery cultures.