Among these are innovation of form—i.e., the concern on the part of the African artist with innovation and creativity;
visual abstraction and conventionalization
; a visual combination of balanced composition and asymmetry; the primacy of sculpture; the transformation and adornment of the human body; and a general …
What is the function of African art?
Traditional African art served a purpose (and does still in some cultures) as
an agent of religion, social stability, and social control
. Art that has a purpose is not unique to African or other non-Western cultures but occurs in Western ones as well.
What are the most important facts about African art?
Sculpture
– Sculpture was one of the most important types of art in Ancient Africa. Sculptures were mostly made of people and sometimes animals. African artists often used wood for their sculpture, but they also used bronze, terracotta, and ivory. Masks – Masks were an important part of art.
What are the three main themes of African art?
Revealing the importance behind some of Africa’s most beautiful art and culture are four common themes. These themes represent
ceremonial honor, mother earth and the people as her children, honor, and portrayal of a stranger
.
What is the main inspiration of African art?
Traditional African religions have been extremely influential on African art forms across the continent. African art often stems from the themes of
religious symbolism, functionalism and utilitarianism
, and many pieces of art are created for spiritual rather than purely creative purposes.
What are the five elements of African art?
- Resemblance to a human being: …
- Luminosity: …
- Self-composure: …
- Youthfulness: …
- Clarity of form and detail, complexity of composition, balance and symmetry, smoothness of finish:
What makes African art unique?
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 first introduced to Sub-Saharan Africa around the 13th century, along with the spread of Islam.
What does the head symbolize in African art?
Among the Yoruba in southwestern Nigeria, the head is
the wellspring of wisdom and seat of divine power (àse)
. The head is divided into the external head (orí òde), emblem of individuality, and the interior or spiritual head (orí inú), the life source that controls the outer head.
What is African art called?
African art, the
visual arts of native Africa
, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, including such media as sculpture, painting, pottery, rock art, textiles, masks, personal decoration, and jewelry.
What is African dancing called?
African dance is
polyrhythmic
—the simultaneous sounding of two or more independent rhythms in drummers and dancers, the relationship of rhythm to movement is key.
What is today’s art called?
What is
Contemporary Art
? A reference to Contemporary Art meaning “the art of today,” more broadly includes artwork produced during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It generally defines art produced after the Modern Art movement to the present day.
How is death viewed in African culture?
Africans ordinarily do not encourage the contemplation of death or any discussion about their own or their loved ones’ death. According to the African belief system,
life does not end with death
, but continues in another realm.
What influenced African art?
Because of colonialism and slavery, African art found its way around the world. First presented as curiosities of
primitive cultures
, objects such as masks and sculptures influenced European artists looking for a new vocabulary that didn’t rely on Realism.
What are 6 dominant themes in African art?
- Aesthetics.
- The human figure, animals and symbols.
- Form and meaning.
- Religion and the Spiritual Realm.
- Art and Politics.
- Rites of passage.
- Art and the individual.
How do you evaluate African art?
- Look at the piece. …
- The ethnical provenance. …
- Pedigree. …
- Fashion. …
- Conservation state: too much restoration decreases the value.
- Rareness. …
- Size does matter, most pieces are 40/50 cm.
What material is most common in the early African art?
Clay
is among the most plentiful African art materials. Terracotta works are among the earliest surviving Sub-Sahara pieces from the continent dating back to the 8th millennium B.C. The earliest terracotta works that have remained intact were figures known as Nok; other works include vessels and figurative objects.
