Doreen Demuyakor, a 35-year-old artisan from Accra, has turned her childhood nemesis – the school cane – into a medium for artistic expression and healing. Since 2023, she has been transforming cane into abstract wall hangings, decorative mirrors, and bespoke interior décor pieces that are gaining attention from design enthusiasts across the city.
From Discipline to Decor
Demuyakor's journey began when she decided to transform cane into a tool for creative expression. "I use cane because it is the medium I'm able to express myself the most with," she said. For many Ghanaians who grew up in the 1990s and 2000s, the word "cane" brings back memories of the classroom and the headmaster's office.
A Journey of Discovery
Demuyakor's craft journey was not planned. She describes herself as naturally dexterous and someone who has always found joy in creating things with her hands. She spent hours watching woodworkers on social media, fascinated by how they transformed raw materials into beautiful creations. It was a casual conversation with her former boss that changed the course of her life. "On a random day, he asked me what I really wanted to do with my life. I didn't think twice before answering that I wanted to be a carpenter," she recalled with a laugh.
From Apprentice to Master
Her former boss gave her a challenge: to make a mirror. She chose cane for the frame, used a picture she found online as inspiration, and recreated it. He loved the outcome and later requested a bigger piece. "After that, he gave me six months to go and understudy a cane craft master. That was the beginning of who you see today," she said. Three years on, Demuyakor has developed a unique style that blends creativity with improvisation.
Improvisation and Innovation
Demuyakor does not always sketch her designs first or plan every curve before starting a piece. "I'm inspired by everyday objects I interact with. But my most iconic creations have been the ones I set out with no idea of what I'm about to create. I let the canes lead me, and I make changes and corrections as I go," she explained. That improvisation is what makes her work stand out, creating flowing, organic pieces that transform a rigid material into something soft and expressive.
From Pain to Beauty
From a symbol of discipline to a centrepiece in modern living spaces, Demuyakor is proving that with creativity, even painful memories can be rewoven into something beautiful. Her work is not just about creating art, but also about healing and redemption. As she continues to push the boundaries of what can be done with cane, she is inspiring others to see the potential in the most unexpected places.
Source: Joy Online
