CHARACTERISING LEATHER OFFCUTS AS CREATIVE MATERIALS FOR SUSTAINABLE AFRICAN VISUAL ART

Abstract

Leather offcuts generated by footwear production are often discarded despite their potential value for sustainable artistic practice. This study characterises leather offcuts collected from footwear production hubs in Kumasi and Tamale, Ghana, to examine their suitability for African visual art. Adopting a qualitative interpretivist approach, 22.6 kg of leather offcuts were analysed through systematic observation using five material characteristics: quality, size, shape, type, and colour. The findings reveal that leather offcuts exhibit considerable diversity across the two production centres. Kumasi offcuts were predominantly medium-sized, mineral-tanned or synthetic, displayed greater colour variation, and generally had fewer defects. In contrast, Tamale offcuts were mostly small, vegetable-tanned, exhibited limited colour diversity, and showed more pronounced natural defects. Across both locations, irregular shapes and small fragments dominated, providing opportunities for mosaics, assemblage, relief sculpture, appliqué, patchwork, and other material-driven artistic practices. The study demonstrates that systematic material characterisation can transform leather offcuts from perceived waste into identifiable creative resources that support circular economy principles within African visual art. The study contributes to sustainable art practice and provides an evidence-based framework for artists, designers, educators and creative industries seeking to maximise the value of reclaimed leather materials.