The Lost Wax Way
Artisans in Burkina Faso convey the beauty of feminine Africa in bronze. They cast with the lost wax method: first, the sculpture is carved in beeswax. Next, a clay mold is formed around it, and then the wax is melted away, leaving a void to fill with molten bronze.
Sculptures of figures of all shapes and sizes emerge from the foundry, from tiny dancing ladies to towering statues. In true Burkinabe spirit, an appreciation for distinctiveness shines through each creation. To give each piece individuality, roughly-textured frocks wrap each figure with folds and flares in slightly different array—guaranteeing that each piece is completely one-of-a-kind. Many of the figures are finished with polished accents and painted clothing.