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Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista
Akwadzan (female)
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Akwadzan (female)

Artist Juliana Kweifio-Okai (Ghanaian, 1933 - 1993)
Datelate 1960s
Made/manufacturedAccra, Ghana
MediumWax print and cotton fabrics
Dimensions5 ft. 2 in. × 40 in. (157.5 × 101.6 cm)
ClassificationsClothing and accessories
Credit LineGift of Edith François
Object number2016.37
Collections
DescriptionWax print cloth (commercial cloth) with burgundy and lime green floral motifs, burgundy border around neckline and hem; to be worn with one shoulder exposed; knee length

The Akwadzan is sewn from wax print fabric, likely produced by Ghana Textiles Production, a Ghanaian company that Chez Julie officially collaborated with during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The background of the wax print is a light shade of coral/salmon, with a repeated medallion pattern of a bird on a branch, surrounded by leaves. The outline of the bird, branches, and leaves are in burgundy, while the ground color is chartreuse. The neckline and hemline of the Akwadzan is edged with a strip of burgundy fabric with a repeated motif of chartreuse leaves. The original chartreuse skirt, which was made to match the Akwadzan, was given away by Francois several years ago; the current skirt is a reproduction that was sewn by Nancy Richards in July 2014 (and will be included as part of Francois’ gift to the museum).

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