Hand Carved African Sese Wood Mask, "Friday"

"I am a hardworking, humble and truthful person. My type work is handicrafts. I was born into an artisan family on November 15, 1988 in Accra.

"My father, Abdul Karim Star, is a Novica-featured artisan and some of my cousins work together in the same workshop. My father introduced me to crafts.

"I started with sandpapering at the age of ten when I returned from school. After I mastered the skill of sandpapering, I moved on to learn how to cut the brass and aluminum used to adorn the mask. I also was trained in painting masks as well as applying beads to them. The fixing of the beads happens to be a difficult part, but the final outcome of the artwork and their attractive, beautiful nature are what make me want to affix the beads over and over again.

"When I completed senior high school, I decided to continue in this field. I worked together with my father for a while before he agreed to let me be on my own. I work in his workshop but can sell my designs myself. I therefore have to come up with my own style.

"What attracts me most about my art is creating beaded designs, because it is believed that beads are very attractive and shining to drive attention to the work.

"My hope and dream is to become a renowned artist of my time."