African art 331015 224671678 2008-07-09T22:16:24Z Woody 1476994 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/86.132.23.109|86.132.23.109]] ([[User talk:86.132.23.109|talk]]) to last version by ClueBot [[Image:Yoruba-bronze-head.jpg|thumb|Yoruba bronze head sculpture, Ife, Nigeria c. 12th century A.D.]] [[Image:Makonde elephant.jpg|thumb|Makonde carving c.1974]] [[Image:Velour du kasaï.jpg|thumb|''Velours'' from Kasai]] [[Image:Sculpture ebene.jpg|thumb|upright|A sculpture in [[ebony]]]] [[Image:IMG 2267–77 b.JPG|thumb|Another carving in ebony]] '''African art''' constitutes one of the most diverse legacies on earth. Though many casual observers tend to generalize "traditional" African art, the continent is full of peoples, societies, and civilizations, each with a unique visual special culture. The definition also includes the art of the [[African diaspora]]s, such as the art of [[African American]]s. Despite this diversity, there are some unifying artistic themes when considering the totality of the [[visual culture]] from the continent of Africa.<ref>Blier, Suzanne: "Africa, Art, and History: An Introduction", ''A History of Art in Africa'', pp. 15-19</ref> *Emphasis on the human figure: The human figure is the primary subject matter for most African art. In historical periods involving trade between Africa and Europe, the introduction of the human body into existing European pottery and other art forms can reliably be taken as evidence of contact with African cultures. For example in the fifteenth century Portugal traded with the Sapi culture near the Ivory Coast in West Africa, who created elaborate ivory saltcellars that were hybrids of African and European designs, most notably in the addition of the human figure (the human figure typically did not appear in Portuguese saltcellars). *Visual abstraction: African artworks tend to favor visual abstraction over naturalistic representation. This is because many African artworks, and generalize stylistic norms. <ref>Blier, Suzanne, "Africa, Art, and History: An Introduction", ''A History of Art in Africa'', p. 16</ref> Ancient Egyptian art, also usually thought of as naturalistically depictive, makes use of highly abstracted and regimented visual canons, especially in painting, as well as the use of different colors to represent the qualities and characteristics of an individual being depicted. <ref>''A History of Art in Africa'', p. 49</ref> *Emphasis on sculpture: African artists tend to favor three-dimensional artworks over two-dimensional works. Even many African paintings or cloth works were meant to be experienced three-dimensionally. House paintings are often seen as a continuous design wrapped around a house, forcing the viewer to walk around the work to experience it fully; while decorated cloths are worn as decorative or ceremonial garments, transforming the wearer into a living sculpture. *Emphasis on performance art: An extension of the utilitarianism and three-dimensionality of traditional African art is the fact that much of it is crafted for use in performance contexts, rather than in static ones. For example, masks and costumes very often are used in communal, ceremonial contexts, where they are "danced." Most societies in Africa have names for their masks, but this single name incorporates not only the sculpture, but also the meanings of the mask, the dance associated with it, and the spirits that reside within. In African thought, the three cannot be differentiated. ==Area of influence== African art has a long and surprisingly controversial history. Up until recently, the designation "African" was usually only bestowed on the arts of "Black Africa", the peoples living in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]. The non-black peoples of [[North Africa]], the blacks of the [[Horn of Africa]], as well as the art of [[Ancient Egypt]], generally were not included under the rubric of African art. Recently, however, there has been a movement among African art historians and other scholars to include the visual culture of these areas, since all the cultures that produced them, in fact, are located within the geographic boundaries of the African continent. The notion is that by including all African cultures and their visual culture in ''African art'', laypersons will gain a greater understanding of the continent's cultural diversity. Since there was often a confluence of traditional African, Islamic and Mediterranean cultures, scholars have found that drawing distinct divisions between Muslim areas, ancient Egypt, the Mediterranean and indigenous black African societies makes little sense. Finally, the arts of the people of the [[African diaspora]], prevalent in [[Brazil]], the [[Caribbean]] and the southeastern [[United States]], have also begun to be included in the study of African art. ==History== The origins of African art lie long before recorded history. African rock art in the [[Sahara]] in [[Niger]] preserves 6000-year-old carvings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the153club.org/giraffe.html|title=“New” Giraffe Engravings Found|publisher=The 153 Club|accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref> The earliest known sculptures are from the [[Nok]] culture of [[Nigeria]], made around [[500s BC|500 BCE]]. Along with sub-Saharan Africa, the cultural arts of the western tribes, [[ancient Egypt]]ian artifacts, and indigenous southern crafts also contributed greatly to African art. Often depicting the abundance of surrounding nature, the art was often abstract interpretations of animals, plant life, or natural designs and shapes. More complex methods of producing art were developed in sub-Saharan Africa around the [[10th century]], some of the most notable advancements include the bronzework of [[Igbo Ukwu]] and the terracottas and metalworks of [[Ile Ife]] [[Bronze]] and [[brass]] castings, often ornamented with [[ivory]] and [[precious stone]]s, became highly prestigious in much of [[West Africa]], sometimes being limited to the work of court artisans and identified with [[Royal family|royalty]], as with the [[Benin Bronzes]]. ==Influence on Western art== At the start of the twentieth century, artists like [[Pablo Picasso|Picasso]], [[Henri Matisse|Matisse]], [[Vincent van Gogh]], [[Paul Gauguin]] and [[Amedeo Modigliani|Modigliani]] became aware of, and inspired by, African art. In a situation where the established avant garde was straining against the constraints imposed by serving the world of appearances, African Art demonstrated the power of supremely well organised forms; produced not only by responding to the faculty of sight, but also and often primarily, the faculty of imagination, emotion and mystical and religious experience. These artists saw in African Art a formal perfection and sophistication unified with phenomenal expressive power. The study of and response to African Art, by artists at the beginning of the twentieth century facilitated an explosion of interest in the abstraction, organisation and reorganisation of forms, and the exploration of emotional and psychological areas hitherto unseen in Western Art. By these means, the status of visual art was changed. Art ceased to be merely and primarily [[aesthetic]], but became also a true medium for philosophic and intellectual discourse, and hence more truly and profoundly aesthetic than ever before.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} ==Traditional art== Traditional art describes the most popular and studied forms of African art which are typically found in [[museum]] collections. Wooden [[mask]]s, which might either be human or animal or of mythical creatures, are one of the most commonly found forms of art in western Africa. In their original contexts, ceremonial masks are used for celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting, and war preparation. The masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. During the mask ceremony the dancer goes into deep trance, and during this state of mind he "communicates" with his ancestors. The masks can be worn in three different ways: vertically covering the face: as helmets, encasing the entire head, and as crest, resting upon the head, which was commonly covered by material as part of the disguise. African masks often represent a spirit and it is strongly believed that the spirit of the ancestors possesses the wearer. Most African masks are made with wood, and can be decorated with: [[Ivory]], animal hair, plant fibers (such as raffia), pigments (like [[kaolin]]), stones, and semi-precious [[Gemstone|gem]]s also are included in the masks. Statues, usually of wood or ivory, are often inlaid with [[cowrie]] shells, metal studs and nails. Decorative clothing is also commonplace and comprises another large part of African art. Among the most complex of African textiles is the colorful, strip-woven [[Kente cloth]] of [[Ghana]]. Boldly patterned [[mudcloth]] is another well known technique. ==Contemporary African Art== [[Image:KGbh.jpg‎|thumb|100px|left|Kendell Geers, "BLOODY HELL" Performance created on the occasion of [[Nelson Mandela]]'s release from jail, South Africa, 1990]] [[Image:Chidongo.JPG|thumb|100px|left|Sculpture. Medium: wood. Attributed to [[Zimbabwe]]an artist [[Gideon Chidongo]], 4th quarter of 20th century.]] Africa is home to a great and thriving [[contemporary art]] culture. This has been sadly understudied until recently, due to scholars' and art collectors' emphasis on traditional art. Notable modern artists include [[Marlene Dumas]],[[William Kentridge]], [[Kendell Geers]], [[Yinka Shonibare]], [[Zerihun Yetmgeta]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Siangla/Odhiambo_Siangla Odhiambo Siangla], [[Olu Oguibe]], [[Lubaina Himid]], and [[Bill Bidjocka]]. Art [[biennale|biennial]]s are held in [[Dakar]], [[Senegal]], and [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]. Many contemporary African artists are represented in museum collections, and their art may sell for high prices at art [[auction]]s. Despite this, many contemporary African artists tend to have difficult times finding a market for their work. Many contemporary African arts borrow heavily from traditional predecessors. Ironically, this emphasis on abstraction is seen by Westerners as an imitation of European and American cubist and totemic artists, such as [[Pablo Picasso]], [[Amedeo Modigliani]] and [[Henri Matisse]], who, in actuality were heavily influenced by traditional African art. This became the first step of evolution in Western art where people started becoming more open-minded and came out of their shell to explore the different aspects of art.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} Comtemporary African Art was pioneered in the 1950's and 1960's in South Africa by artists like [[Irma Stern]], [[Walter Battiss]] and through galleries like the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg. More recently European galleries like the October Gallery in London and collectors like [[Jean Pigozzi]] and Gianni Baiocchi in Rome have helped expand the interest in the subject. Exhibitions like the African Pavilion at the 2007 [[Venice Biennale]] that showcased the Sindika Dokolo African Collection of Contemporary Art have gone a long way to countering many of the myths and prejudices that haunt Contemporary African Art. The appointment of Nigerian Okwui Enwezor as artistic director of [[Documenta]] 11 and his African centred vision of art jettisoned the careers of countless African artists into the international headlights ==By country== <!-- ===Mali=== ====Bambara==== ====Dogon==== ===Guinea=== --> ===Botswana=== In the northern part of Botswana, tribal women in the villages of [[Etsha]] and [[Gumare]] are noted for their skill at crafting [[basket]]s from [[Mokola Palm]] and local [[dye]]s. The baskets are generally woven into three types: large, lidded baskets used for storage large, open baskets for carrying objects on the head or for winnowing threshed grain, and smaller plates for winnowing pounded grain. The artistry of these baskets is being steadily enhanced through color use and improved designs as they are increasingly produced for commercial use. The oldest evidence ancient paintings from both Botswana and [[South Africa]]. Depictions of hunting, both animal and [[human]] figures were made by the [[Khoisan]] (Kung San!/[[Bushmen]] dating before civilization over 20,000 years old within the [[Kalahari]] desert. ===Côte d'Ivoire=== [[Image:Child-soldier-afrika.jpg|thumb|"[[military use of children|Childsoldier]] in the [[Ivory Coast]]", [[Gilbert G. Groud]], 2007, mixed materials: tusche and wax crayon ]] The [[Baoulé]], the [[Senoufo]] and the [[Dan]] peoples are skilled at carving wood and each culture produces wooden [[mask]]s in wide variety. The Côte d'Ivorian peoples use masks to represent animals in [[caricature]] to depict deities, or to represent the souls of the departed. As the masks are held to be of great spiritual power, it is considered a taboo for anyone other than specially trained persons or chosen ones to wear or possess certain masks. These ceremonial masks each are thought to have a soul, or life force, and wearing these masks is thought to transform the wearer into the entity the mask represents. Côte d'Ivoire also has modern painters and illustrators. [[Gilbert G. Groud]] criticizes the ancient beliefs in [[black magic]], as held with the spiritual masks mentioned above, in his illustrated book ''[[Magie Noire]]''. ===Tanzania and Mozambique=== The art of the Makonde must be subdivided into different areas. The Makonde are known as master carvers throughout East Africa, and their statuary can be found being sold in tourist markets and in museums alike. They traditionally carve household objects, figures and masks. Since the 1950s years the socalled Modern Makonde Art has been developed. An essential step was the turning to abstract figures, mostly spirits (Shetani) that play a special role. Makonde are also part of the important contemporary artists of Africa today. An outstanding position is taken by George Lilanga. <!-- ====Baule (Baoulé)==== ====Guro==== ====Senufo==== ====Dan (or Yacouba)==== ===Benin=== ===Sierra Leone=== ===Ghana=== ===Nigeria=== ====Yoruba==== ====Edo==== ===Cameroon=== ===Gabon=== ====Fang==== ====Kota==== ====Mpongwe==== ===Democratic republic of Congo=== ====Luba==== ====Bena Lulua==== ====Kuba==== ====Pende==== ====Ngala==== ====Mangbetu==== ====Lega==== ===Angola=== ====Chokwe==== --> ===Egypt===<!-- This section is linked from [[Culture of Egypt]] --> Persisting for 3000 years and thirty dynasties, the "official" art of Egypt was centred on the state religion of the time. The art ranged from stone carvings of both massive statues and small statuettes, to wall art that depicted both history and mythology. In [[26th century BC|2600 BC]] the maturity of Egyptian carving reached a peak it did not reach again for another 1500 years during the reign of [[Ramesses II|Rameses II]]. A lot of the art possesses a certain stiffness, with figures poised upright and rigid in a most regal fashion. Bodily proportions also appear to be mathematically derived, giving rise to a sense of fantastic perfection in the figures depicted. This most likely was used to reinforce the godliness of the ruling caste. African art is very common in Egypt ==See also== {{portal|Africa|Africa satellite orthographic.jpg}} *[[Culture of Africa]] {{Africa topics}} ==Notes== <references/> ==Sources== *''A history of art in Africa'' (2001) Monica Blackmun Visonà et al. Prentice Hall, New York ISBN 0-13-442187-6 ==External links== {{commons|African art|African art}} *[http://www.ijele.com/ Ijele: Art eJournal of the African World] *[http://www.all-about-african-art.com/ Learn about African art, the region and the people who make them] *[http://flickr.com/photos/71909327@N00/sets/72157602085585719/ Photos of Kuba cloth from Zaire] *[http://sorrel.humboldt.edu/%7Erwj1/afr.html Map of Contemporary Africa and African Art] *[http://web.onetel.net.uk/~herbertroese/index.html African Sculptural Art] [[Category:African art]] [[bs:Afrička umjetnost]] [[ca:Art africà]] [[de:Afrikanische Kunst]] [[et:Aafrika kunst]] [[es:Arte africano]] [[fr:Art africain traditionnel]] [[gl:Arte africana]] [[hr:Afrička umjetnost]] [[it:Arte africana]] [[hu:Fekete-Afrika művészete]] [[ja:アフリカ美術]] [[pl:Sztuka afrykańska]] [[pt:Arte de África]] [[sk:Africké umenie]] [[sr:Афричка уметност]] [[sv:Afrikansk konst]]