Perpetual Agaadam
Our Founder Bettina McIlwraith spoke with master weaver Perpetual Agaadam in Bolgatanga, Ghana to gain more insight into her remarkable basket life and her introduction to weaving by way of her grandmother. Pepe’s first fully formed Conch basket revealed itself in 2019 and all at once she understood the full scope of her creativity and her significant contribution as an important basket artist.
Pepe’s conch baskets have since been shown at exhibitions and galleries the world over including CHRISTIE’S in London, Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris, BASK IT at Dutch Design Week, 100 Beautiful Baskets in Cape Town and at the Mothership 2.0. Pepe’s baskets are also commissioned by basket aficionados and collectors globally!
What does Mother mean to you?
Family and country.
Tell us about your signature basket - the Conch?
This shape in my first experience was very difficult, I told myself.. “no way and again no way”, because it was something I could not break through. I remember Azure and Bettina (the Baba Tree design and development team) saying that we would be trying something different and they worked with me to push through. I have woven many different styles of baskets but this one has me hooked because it was tough and rough in the beginning. It was difficult but in the end it was my inner voice that I heard saying.. “Pepe you can do it!” So I allowed myself and I did it. I made a piece of Art and it’s my favorite basket of all time.
Who taught you to weave?
It was my grandma Akanmaseh Adagamm who taught me to weave because my mother didn’t know how to weave so well, so my grandma taught us both. I am very grateful for this knowledge.
I remember that your young son Prince was always beside you when you were first started weaving the Conch basket in 2019. How do you balance motherhood and weaving?
Yes I remember also, you two always used to play together on the compound. Prince is my greatest inspiration to keep weaving, keep making Art. I don’t know if he will weave when he gets older or maybe he will be a minister like his father. To balance life like this is a fine art also you know? I am plenty grateful to be a mother, a wife and a weaver.
How long have you been weaving now Pepe?
Up to date is 20 years, it is only now that I feel that I am becoming the weaver that I was born to be. I believe that God gave me the skills to weave, to my hands and to my mind.
What do you enjoy most about your basket life?
The most joy comes from training sessions to introduce the Conch to other artisans - it’s a good feeling to share my knowing with other weavers. Also, there is togetherness in the basket weaving community - the joy of oneness all together.