Figure of a male prisoner
Description
brass,
Ldamie was born in Zonleh, in northeastern Liberia. As a child he migrated with his family to the nearby town of Gaple, where he lived the rest of his life. The dates that Ldamie lived and cast are not definitely known. According to his son Yanemie (b. ca. 1953/54), Ldamie is believed to have been active mainly in the 1920s/1930s, possibly earlier, but in no case later than the 1950s.
The technique of brass casting Ldamie learned from an older male relative, the master brass-caster Munmie. His artistic ability and inspirations however were obtained through dreams. For according to traditional Dan belief, dreaming is the mechanism through which “dü”, the spritual power essential to becoming great in any area, communicates with individuals.
Fantastic stories entwine around the life of Ldamie. According to his son, Ldamie’s big break came one day when a government official visited Gaple with a broken typewriter. Although Ldamie could not read or write, he proved his metallurgical skill to the official by repairing the broken typewriter. After that he began casting brass figures for officials to take home with them to the national capital, Monrovia. His name spread and he became famous. Eventually the government had a workshop built for Ldamie, and he became so rich and famous that he was carried everywhere in a hammock, and never again had to walk (Johnson,1987, p. 53).
Ldamie observed village life around him and portrayed in genre figures many daily activities. The figurines were considered status symbols, proudly displayed in public by their owner.