Semiotic Visual Analysis of Avant-Garde Fashion Designs in Ghana

This book appreciates the artistic prowess, philosophical underpinnings and symbolic interpretation of some avant-garde design samples from the creative artist’s perspective. It also explores the familiarity, acceptance or otherwise of Ghanaians on Avant-garde artistry, based on the experiences of an avant-garde artist. The ill-reception and perception of avant-garde arts and culture in Ghana, serve as a security threat to practitioners due to the association of eccentric appearances and non-conventional appearances with crime. This leads to wrong targeting, stigmatization and victimization among other socio-cultural challenges. Again, in the field of art, it limits exploration, innovation and creativity, and by extension, discourages budding artists from practising avant-garde in Ghana. On the other hand, the designs serve as a source of inspiration, reference or design template for other avant-garde designers, as well as an avenue to express one’s artistic views, philosophies and opinions. Avant-garde fashion being a global phenomenon also creates a cross-cultural milieu which transcends traditional or indigenous boundaries.