African Custom Sculptures

African Custom Sculptures is rated 3 out of 5 in the category arts and crafts. Read and write reviews about African Custom Sculptures. Have a timeless head sculpture carved by an African artist of a family member, Client, Friend or colleague. My name is Stephen Parsons. On the 24th April 2017, after 23 years of extremely successful trading, I had to close my steel business as a result of the declining economy. This unfortunate happening made me part of South Africa’s worst statistic – “Unemployment”! According to our Government statistics, the unemployment rate in our country is currently 27.7%. With a population of 55.91 million, you can imagine the number of people that do not have work. Therefore, no food on the table. This leads to desperate violent crime to survive! Recently, when I stopped at a traffic light waiting it to turn green, a man came up to my window, begging me to buy some African art from him. I noticed that were about 10 other people at the same traffic light – doing the same – desperately asking people to buy something from them. Upon looking at the skill and detail that went into the African art products, I came to the realization that these people are true artists. I asked the person standing by my window if he could do a “portrait of me.” Without hesitation, he said “yes.” This led me to starting this project – creating work opportunitiesfor them, using their skills to create a wooden sculptured standard size head (bust) of/for anybody! These artists come from all over Africa to find refuge and work in South Africa, only to discover that there is no work for them. My company will be based on the “Fair Trade” principal. Our aim is to create an international outlet for these skilled artists, where their abilities will be truly appreciated. African “culture” is deep-rooted in the skills handed down to them through the generations by their fore fathers. These skills are utilized to create an income in order for them to provide for their families. One artist earning an income will provide food, accommodation and schooling needs for 5 or more people on average!