African Art
Introduction
African art is richly varied and vital in expressing the culture of its people. The sculpture, pottery, paintings, textile and objects used in the daily situation highlight the attachment that art has with the life in Africa. Art is used in many functions including religious and ritual functions to mark important stages in life and also the visions and emotions of artists. African art has had a challenging history. It was referred to as the art of the ‘Black Africa,’ which was discriminatory and selfish. The label suggested that African Arabs, for example those in Northern African countries like Egypt as well as those in the horn of Africa were not to be included in the same category as African art probably because of the fact that they are Arabic not blacks.
African art was in existence long before history was recorded. Rock art in the Sahara preserve old carvings that date backs 6000 years ago. The art was always representing the richness of natural designs and shapes. Advancement in the production of art was notable in the area of bronze work of the Igbo people plus the metal work of the Ile Ife bronze and brass casting that was often decorated with ivory and precious stone. This became very prestigious in many parts of West Africa and was done mainly by court artisans for usage by the royalties.
Issues and emphases
A lot of emphasis in African art is put on sculpture to show the cultural heritage of mankind. Artists create three dimensional artworks rather than two dimensional. (Babatunde Lawal 85). The cloth works and paintings were also created in the three dimensional shape. Decorations to houses and clothing made art real to the extent that people looked like living sculptures. The houses were a continuous design of material decorations done by women.
The human figure has always been very significant in African art. It is the major subject matter for most of African art. The human figure may resemble a dancer, chief, hunter or a representation of the gods. Animals can also be represented in African art to highlight a theme.
Masks and costumes are used in ceremonies and communal contexts where dancing takes place. The masks and costumes are named depending on the meanings they carry in them, the dances associated with them as well as the spirits found within it ( Blier & Suzanne 15-19)
There is no much difference between shapes in African art. A small portion of an African design closely resembles the large portion. The elements of design in art come into play at this juncture where the size, shape, value, texture and color are seen to be similar no matter the originality of the given object. Diamond is a good example where the large part resembles the small part. This was observed by former Senegalese president who referred to the phenomenon as ‘dynamic symmetry.’ African art has been written in a manner suggesting it to be static although this is not necessarily true. The drawings and paintings in African art do not only represent the past, some artists can draw and paint out contemporary issues as well as issues they prophecy in future which they wish to share with the society at large. Sometimes African art can be seen to be something different and exotic from the present reality. However the objects of African literature speak of original things in the present world and not the past (Willet 46)
Wooden human, animal and mythical creature masks are common in West African art. These masks are used in various ceremonies for the purpose of celebrations in the initiation, crop harvesting, preparation for war and even death. Some chosen dancers are who communicate with the ancestors when they go into a deep trance during the dancing. The masks often represent a spirit that possesses the dancer in collaboration with the ancestors so that the dancer can pass the message they wish to communicate to the people. The wooden masks are decorated with ivory, animal hair, stones, plant fibers- like raffia and pigments- like kaolin. Wooden and Ivory statues have metal studs, nails and cowry shells embedded in them. Decorated clothing is also significant in African art Kente cloth is a good example of clothing decorated with patterns.
Conclusion
Africa is rich in contemporary as well as historical art that manifests its culture and the heritage of its people. The African art had not been recorded in some parts o the continent since the neglected pats were perceived to be outside the jurisdictions of the black Africans. The art of Africa is mainly used to highlight issues pertaining to the daily lifestyle of its people including the ceremonies for celebrating particular functions like harvesting and preparations to war. African art existed even before history was recorded. Masks are commonly found in West Africa where a special dancer wears them in order to be possessed with spirits during the dance and consequently communicate with the ancestors on behalf of the people. Several artists in the contemporary world are now represented in museums. However, they lack markets for their arts since the market views their work as imitations of the original art.
Work cited
Babatunde Lawal, The Significance of the Head in Yoruba Sculpture Journal of Anthropological research. 1985
Blier, Suzanne: Africa, Art, and History: An Introduction, A History of Art in Africa,. Oxford, Oxford University press 1999
Willet Frank, African world of art New York Paw Prints 2008
