African art
From ArticleWorld
African art can include visual art, music, and even writing. The visual artwork of Africa varies greatly between time periods, countries, and artisans.
Characteristics
African art generally carries the following characteristics:
- Originality: While most cultures adopt a set of rules during various time periods as to what makes art, African art throughout time has encouraged and enjoyed creative innovation.
- Abstraction over reality: African art works with abstract figures that represent the natural world. Realism is not a traditional part of African visual art.
- Working with three dimensions: African art is typically noted for masks, carvings, and sculptures.
- Multipurpose: African art is rarely just decorative. For example, masks and decorative cloth are used for their beauty and ceremonial purposes. Many pieces also carry a religious context.
Traditional
The oldest sculptures that have been discovered are from the Nok culture in Nigeria and date back to 500 BCE. In the thirteenth century, people in the Sub-Sahara began working with bronze, brass, ivory, and precious stones.
The traditional work of Africans inspired the work of Europeans Picasso and Matisse.
Egyptian and other northern countries are often not included when the term “traditional African art” is used. However, in hopes of breaking down African art stereotypes, museums are starting to include all African countries in their African art displays. The term is also being applied to the art of African descendents relocated to Brazil, the southeastern United States, and the Caribbean.
Contemporary
The work of today’s African artisans is heavily influenced by the abstract art of their ancestors. Notable names include Zerihuna Yetmgeta, Olu Oguibe, Lubanina Himid, and Bill Bidjocka. Women of Botswana are also esteemed for their basket making, while wood carvings and masks are associated with the people of the Ivory Coast. Huge art bizarre are hosted in Dakar, Senegal and Johannesburg, South Africa on staggering years.