A Ghanaian man who once made jewelry from glass is now using old glass to make new art. He hopes to reduce glass waste and help the environment in his country. If glass artist Michael Tetteh can earn some money by doing it, he will be happy, too.
Tetteh 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. Many years later, Tetteh has his own workplace where he melts broken glass from waste centers and turns it into art. He looks for broken glass from old televisions or bottles and melts it down in a large round container known as a kiln(窑). The kiln gets very hot, nearly 1, 500 ℃, and turns the old glass into hot liquid.
Tetteh 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. Over 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 works are also sold in art stores in Europe and the U.S.
“My heart wants to train young Ghanaians, both men and women, so they can learn this job," he said.
If he can teach more people to make art pieces from glass, more people would get benefit from it. Ghana imports about $300 million worth of glass and pottery each year.
