Juliana Gharbin, a Ghanaian creative entrepreneur and bead artist, is steadily reshaping contemporary African bead artistry, blending traditional craftsmanship with large-scale creative expression to position Ghanaian craft on the global stage.
In her latest piece, Ms Gharbin designed the world’s largest bead sculpture measuring 2.69 metres by 2.05m by 1.47m (8ft 10 in by 6ft 9 in by 47ft 10 in) which has been captured in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest bead sculpture.
At a press conference last Saturday, to unveil her Guinness World Record–holding work, Ms Gharbin, who is the Founder and Creative Director of Jules Beads and Jules Resin Arts, said she began her beading journey in 2020, developing her craft through consistent practice, experimentation and a deep appreciation for indigenous Ghanaian artistry.
Her work has since gained recognition for its precision, originality and cultural relevance.
The recognition by the Guinness World Records marks a celebration of artistry, resilience and leadership within Ghana’s creative and craft industry.
The record-holding sculpture, a monumental beaded bag, was produced through the collaborative efforts of a team of professional beaders under her leadership.
Beyond its visual appeal, the piece stands as a statement on the capacity of local artisans to deliver work that meets international standards.
Ms Gharbin told the Daily Graphic that the achievement underscored the role of inner drive in achieving such milestones, stressing that self-motivation was critical throughout the process.
“The first step to winning in life is self-motivation. Before seeking encouragement from anywhere else, you must first motivate yourself. Without that, you may never begin or see the journey through to the end,” she said.
She added that the journey toward the record was marked by significant financial challenges, saying she had to dig deep into her own resources to fund her work, with some support coming from a few companies, as well as support from family members and close associates who believed in her vision.
Miss Gharbin explained that the process demanded long hours, physical endurance, precision and discipline, stating that perseverance and teamwork were essential in bringing the sculpture to life despite limited sponsorship.
With an academic background that combines creativity and strategy from the University of Cape Coast (Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts) and the Accra Business School, now the University of Gold Coast (Master’s degree in Communications and International Marketing), she credits her training for shaping her approach to storytelling, visual presentation and brand development.
Beyond her personal artistic practice, Ms Gharbin is committed to skills development and artisan empowerment.
She works closely with local beaders, particularly women, creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods while preserving cultural heritage.
She believes bead art and other traditional crafts possess untapped economic potential and can contribute meaningfully to tourism, employment and national branding when properly supported.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh