Beatrice Agbesinyale

Ghana

Wondala Int’l

Patchwork Quilts

Beatrice Agbesinyane learned textile artistry from her father, a tailor who produced quilts for an Ewe chief in their hometown of Hohoe.  She later joined up with Wondala International to create African patchwork quilts, using hand-mixed dies in traditional Ghanaian textile treatments such as batik, tie-dye, stitch dyeing, brush and splash dyeing.  These quilts, whose kaleidoscopic patterns are intended to confuse and discourage spirits with ill intentions, were traditionally used to protect the royal family.  Today these quilts are used in festive occasions as a marker of both wealth and spiritual protection.  Wondala International creates sustainable, cooperative micro-enterprises that provide opportunities for both artistic growth and economic empowerment for Ghanaian women, while funding social development programs in their communities.