On Fri, Sept 8th, Patrique deGraft-Yankson, Ansgar Schnurr, Jana Tiborra & Ernst Wagner presented three papers on
“Postcolonialism, identity and otherness: Can we imagine a joint textbook for Art Education from the Global South and the Global North“
Decolonization of art education is usually theoretically. But how is meaningful practice? Art educators from Ghana and Germany work on a textbook, presenting voices from the Global South and North. It will be used in both Ghana and Germany. The panel reflects on processes and initial results from different perspectives.
Education through transnational/transcultural image exploration
The strengths of images as important educational resources have been established by many academic investigations. Images carry with them many attributes which make them speak louder and provide a more holistic comprehension than words.
It was on this premise that the Exploring Visual Culture project was situated. Since its launch in 2019, the Exploring Visual Cultures (EVC) project (www.explore-vc.org), has embarked on a transnational/transcultural image collection, creation, exchange and interpretation project which targets the promotion of art education. So far, EVC has succeeded in establishing a strong network of enthusiastic Art educators from Ghana, Germany, Kenya, Cameroon and South Africa (as well friends from many other countries) and who have engaged in several useful projects which have resulted in art exhibitions, workshops, conferences, online material, publication of books (including a manual for German art teachers).
When we speak of the decolonization of art education, it is usually in theoretical and conceptual terms. As long as these important theories are not underpinned by meaningful practice, the theories remain fascinating but not necessarily convincing. The extremely ambitious project presented here is about the connection of theory and practice in the cooperation of art educators from Ghana and Germany. In the process, a textbook for art classes is being developed that brings voices from the Global South and the Global North into conversation. Once completed, the textbook will be used in both Ghana and Germany. The panel reflects on the processes and initial results from different perspectives.