Ghana Artist Adds Old Airplanes to Community Learning Space

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An artist in Ghana has added six old airplanes to a community learning¹ space in the village where he was born.

The artist, Ibrahim Mahama, bought the planes last year to add to an educational center he created called Red Clay Studio.

Mahama is an internationally recognized artist who grew up in Ghana's capital, Accra. But he returned to the northern village of Jenakpeng to build an art studio and community learning space.

The educational center is made up of several large buildings. It is designed to teach students about subjects like the physics of flying, computer science, history, engineering² and more. The lessons are free.

Red Clay was built entirely³ with recycled and locally sourced materials. This is very much like Mahama's art. He made a name for himself by repurposing unwanted or waste materials into works⁴ of modern art.

The old planes were the latest addition to the center's educational offerings. They are meant to give students an up-close look at planes.

Mahama told Reuters news agency⁵ the community learning space is "not so much about inspiring artists but producing thinkers."

"If children grow up and they can think differently from what their predecessors⁷ were thinking, it is a step towards a certain kind of imminent⁸ change within our society," Mahama said.

Sixteen-year-old Abdul Latif Zakaria has been visiting Red Clay for years. On a recent visit, he experimented with drones that captured⁹ images of the surroundings¹⁰, including the six airplanes.

Red Clay also serves as Mahama's base for his art business. His pieces can sell for thousands or even millions of dollars.

Zakaria's father, Dennard, is employed to take care of Red Clay. He says the center provides children with the chance to explore subjects that would otherwise be closed off to them. He added that the experiences can build confidence and help children learn more about themselves and where they want to go in life.

Mahama said he believes the educational space can "transform ideas and lives" for those who visit. He added, "In the future, it means that it's going to make the entire country, or even the entire world, even a much better place."

Words in This Story

entire – adj. whole or complete

studio – n. a space where an artist or photographer works

inspire – v. to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it

predecessor⁶ – n. the person who was in a job or position before

imminent – adj. happening very soon

drone – n. a self-piloted vehicle that flies in the air

confidence – n. a feeling of being sure in one's own abilities

transform – v. to change something completely, usually to improve it

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 engineering   

n.工程，工程学，管理，操纵

参考例句：

• The science of engineering began as soon as man learned to use tools. 人类一学会使用工具,工程科学就开始了。
• It was the first great engineering works in the world. 这是世界上第一家大型的工程工厂。

3 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

4 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

5 agency   

n.经办；代理；代理处

参考例句：

• This disease is spread through the agency of insects.这种疾病是通过昆虫媒介传播的。
• He spoke in the person of Xinhua News Agency.他代表新华社讲话。

6 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

7 predecessors   

n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身

参考例句：

• The new government set about dismantling their predecessors' legislation. 新政府正着手废除其前任所制定的法律。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Will new plan be any more acceptable than its predecessors? 新计划比原先的计划更能令人满意吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 imminent   

adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的

参考例句：

• The black clounds show that a storm is imminent.乌云预示暴风雨即将来临。
• The country is in imminent danger.国难当头。

9 captured   

俘获( capture的过去式和过去分词 )； 夺取； 夺得； 引起（注意、想像、兴趣）

参考例句：

• Allied troops captured over 300 enemy soldiers. 盟军俘虏了300多名敌方士兵。
• Most of the rebels were captured and disarmed. 大部分叛乱分子被俘获并解除了武装。

10 surroundings   

n.周围的事物(或情况)，环境

参考例句：

• She is not very well tuned into her surroundings. 她不太适应周围的环境。
• The rich man lives in luxurious surroundings.这位富人生活在奢侈的环境中。