Ladi Kwali: A Craftswoman Who Pushed The Frontiers Of Nigerian Pottery and Art

Foremost Nigerian Potter Ladi Kwali

Hello, friends. It has been a while since I last interacted with all of you. I hope everyone is doing great. In today's post, I would like to share the story of a prominent figure in Nigerian art. Brace yourselves as we embark on this interesting journey!

A potter making a pot

Pottery is the art of making and designing vessels and objects from clay and other earthen materials at high temperatures. It is one of the oldest forms of art and craft undertaken by humans and has managed to remain relevant to this day due to its versatility. Its creations can serve practical uses, such as utensils like pots and plates, as well as artistic decorations like vases and figurines. In Nigeria, this beautiful and fascinating art and craft was popularised by a potter of Gbagyi extraction known as Ladi Dosei Kwali.

Ladi Kwali decorating her craft

Who is Ladi Kwali? Ladi Kwali is a famous female Nigerian potter who was born in 1925 in the village of Kwali, Gwari, which is present-day Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. She emerged from a family with a long and rich heritage in pottery and learned the craft from her aunt, who taught her how to create her works using their family's traditional pottery-making method of coiling and pinching. This method of making pottery was extensively used by Ladi Kwali in her craft and subsequently became an integral part of her works.

Ladi Kwali demonstrating her craft to an audience

The trajectory of Ladi Kwali's pottery career changed after she met an English studio potter Michael Cardew in the early 1950s. Her work first piqued the interest of the English potter during his visit to the Emir of Abuja's residence, who was a big patron of hers. Fascinated and impressed by the high quality of Ladi Kwali's creations, which he saw at the Emir's residence, Michael Cardew became keen to meet the talented potter and subsequently invited her to join the Pottery Training Centre he established in Abuja. The meeting of these two potters marked the beginning of a great relationship between them as they began to work together enabling Ladi Kwali to explore uncharted areas of her vocation.

Ladi Kwali Pottery Centre, formerly known as the Abuja Pottery Training Centre

After accepting Michael Cardew's offer to join the Abuja Pottery Training Centre, Ladi Kwali went on to receive training in foreign pottery-making methods such as wheel throwing, kiln firing, and glazing, to name a few. Her encounter with Michael Cardew was crucial to the growth of her reputation as a foremost craftswoman in the world of pottery. She pivoted from being a local potter who utilised her family's traditional pottery-making methods in her craft to one who used modern methods, often incorporating both approaches in her creations.

Ladi Kwali doing what she loves to do best

Ladi Kwali's association with Michael Cardew and the Abuja Pottery Training Centre provided her with numerous career opportunities, both locally and internationally. This relationship enabled her to significantly hone her skills, participate in exhibitions, give demonstrations, and go on tours around the world. Some of the notable events where her works were showcased included Nigeria's Independence Day celebrations and exhibitions at the Abuja Pottery Training Centre and Berkeley Galleries in London. Her works garnered admiration from guests at these events and were highly commended for their beauty.

A beautiful pot made by Ladi Kwali

Besides achieving great success in her career as a potter, Ladi Kwali also used her skills to inspire and impart knowledge to upcoming potters and students, despite her lack of formal education. She served as an instructor at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, as well as the Abuja Pottery Training Centre, the institution with which she had an affiliation.

Ladi Kwali's portrait on Nigeria's Twenty Naira currency note

In recognition of her immense contribution to the world of art and society, Ladi Kwali received many honors and awards. She is a recipient of Nigeria's national honor, the Order of the Niger (OON), the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award (NNOM), and the United Kingdom's Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). She also received an honorary degree from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and has her portrait printed on Nigeria's Twenty Naira currency note. Major streets and facilities including the Abuja Pottery Training Centre in Nigeria are also named after her.

Ladi Kwali, a worthy role model

Ladi Kwali is an individual worthy of emulation. She excelled at her craft through hard work and collaboration with her colleagues and also contributed tremendously to society by sharing her knowledge and skills as an instructor. Ladi Kwali exemplified the essence of the Nigerian spirit in her endeavors by committing to excellence in her vocation and leading a life of service to others.

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Thanks for reading,
Have a splendid day folks.

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