Ghanaian Artist Turns Glass Waste into Art
2022-04-13
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1A Ghanaian man who once made jewelry from glass beads is now using old glass to make new art.
2He hopes to reduce glass waste and help the environment in his country.
3If glass artist Michael Tetteh can earn some money doing it, he will be happy, too.
4Tetteh learned the art of glass blowing during a visit to Europe in 2012.
5He went to see people who knew about glass blowing in the Netherlands and France and learned to make many-colored, artistic flower holders or water carriers.
6Many years later, Tetteh has his own workplace where he melts broken glass from waste centers in Accra and turns it into art.
7He looks for broken glass from old televisions or bottles and melts it down in a large round container known as a kiln.
8The kiln gets very hot, nearly 1,500 degrees Celsius, and turns the old glass into hot liquid.
9Tetteh, now 44, is the nation's only professional glass blower.
10He uses a long pole to remove a ball of melted glass from the kiln and starts working to shape the glass into colorful items people can use again.
11If he can teach more people to make art pieces from glass, he can reduce his country's need to bring in glass from China.
12Ghana imports about $300 million worth of glass and pottery each year, says the Observatory for Economic Complexity.
13About 80 percent comes from China.
14He hopes to make Ghana's glass bead-making tradition into a larger industry with people doing many different jobs.
15"Glass is my passion, my heart," he said.
16"It takes you on a journey from one (place) to another."
17In addition to helping his country keep more money in Ghana, Tetteh thinks a larger, glass economy will also make his country cleaner.
18A glass waste collection program would help.
19Tetteh works in the area called Odumase-Krobo and trains other glass blowers in his shop.
20He learned how to make his equipment by watching videos on a computer.
21He said he is trying to follow the designs of well-known American glass artist Dale Chihuly.
22"My heart wants to train young Ghanaians, both men and women, so they can learn this job," he said.
23"We will not have to go to other countries like China to buy what we want for Ghana."
24Over the years, he has gotten better at the work.
25Now Tetteh's pieces are sold in shops in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
26Some of his work is also sold in art stores in Europe and the U.S.
27I'm Dan Friedell.
1A Ghanaian man who once made jewelry from glass beads is now using old glass to make new art. 2He hopes to reduce glass waste and help the environment in his country. 3If glass artist Michael Tetteh can earn some money doing it, he will be happy, too. 4Tetteh learned the art of glass blowing during a visit to Europe in 2012. He went to see people who knew about glass blowing in the Netherlands and France and learned to make many-colored, artistic flower holders or water carriers. 5Many years later, Tetteh has his own workplace where he melts broken glass from waste centers in Accra and turns it into art. 6He looks for broken glass from old televisions or bottles and melts it down in a large round container known as a kiln. The kiln gets very hot, nearly 1,500 degrees Celsius, and turns the old glass into hot liquid. 7Tetteh, now 44, is the nation's only professional glass blower. 8He uses a long pole to remove a ball of melted glass from the kiln and starts working to shape the glass into colorful items people can use again. 9If he can teach more people to make art pieces from glass, he can reduce his country's need to bring in glass from China. Ghana imports about $300 million worth of glass and pottery each year, says the Observatory for Economic Complexity. About 80 percent comes from China. 10He hopes to make Ghana's glass bead-making tradition into a larger industry with people doing many different jobs. 11"Glass is my passion, my heart," he said. "It takes you on a journey from one (place) to another." 12In addition to helping his country keep more money in Ghana, Tetteh thinks a larger, glass economy will also make his country cleaner. A glass waste collection program would help. 13Tetteh works in the area called Odumase-Krobo and trains other glass blowers in his shop. He learned how to make his equipment by watching videos on a computer. He said he is trying to follow the designs of well-known American glass artist Dale Chihuly. 14"My heart wants to train young Ghanaians, both men and women, so they can learn this job," he said. "We will not have to go to other countries like China to buy what we want for Ghana." 15Over the years, he has gotten better at the work. Now Tetteh's pieces are sold in shops in Ghana and Ivory Coast. Some of his work is also sold in art stores in Europe and the U.S. 16I'm Dan Friedell. 17Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on a report by Reuters. 18Do you think the artist's passion for glass blowing can change the economy in Ghana? Write to us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. 19Words in This Story 20bead - n. a small usually round, piece of glass, wood, stone or other material with a hole through the center that can be used to make jewelry 21pole - n. a long piece of wood or metal that can be used to lengthen reach or hold something such as a sign if it is placed in the ground 22item - n. a single thing in a list, account, or series 23pottery - n. the manufacture of clay objects 24passion - n. a feeling of excitement about doing something 25journey - n. an act of travel; trip