African Art A Unifying Expression

By: Anthony Riali

African art has an origin long before history was recorded.

It's true that African Art is seen as the most fertile in the history of humankind. When one looks at a feature of a face or how the body is drawn or sculpted, then instantly one thinks that it is African Art. But this is not completely correct. The continent offers a diverse genre of art, stemming from many communities and cultures, influenced by ancestral legacies or daily experiences. Numerous themes shown in their art gives one a sense of uniqueness as well as a sense of unity.

When looking at the visual aspect of African Art, one thinks that the same genre is carried through the whole continent. This is not true as there are lots of facets in different communities which lends not only to a singularity or uniqueness but also to an undetected unity. So one would be forgiven for thinking that all African Art is the same.

One of the most fashioned is the human figure or human body. The way a figure is handcrafted would be totally up to the artist's impression of such. Things like religion, ancestry, life experience or nature, would bear witness to a lot of themes. It is therefore not unusual to use a creature and a human in one singular piece of art. Like for instance a human figure entwined with a god-like figure, creating a mythological creature of sorts.

Color plays a key role on garments, fabrics and homes. Artist's or owners would use color to make a three dimensional spectrum. Various homes have 3D patterns and plays with the idea of interaction from the bystander. To experience the artwork in it's entirety one should saunter around the house. Same with 3D sculptures - they must be examined from all angles to truly understand the art.

Of course, the most valuable aspect of African Art is when it is used in spiritual events. Masks are crafted depicting gods or animals or mythical creatures. These masks are worn with a particular aim in mind. The performance genre is also commonly used to produce art, whereby the artist will weave or paint a costume that when worn by the performer, will transform them into a spiritual being or an ancestor.

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