The Delights of African Canvas Art
The African continent is one of the most diverse countries on the planet, with many different ethnic societies. Most having their own unique culture and vision. So what is meant by 'Traditional' African Art?
The African continent is one of the most diverse countries on the planet, with many different ethnic societies. Most having their own unique culture and vision. So what is meant by 'Traditional' African Art? This generally refers to the more popular and recognized style of African Art. There are several themes and styles, which unify the African Arts. One of the most emphatic themes being that of the human figure. Within African Art, the human figure might be symbolic of those living, or those who have passed away. They may be dancers, hunters, chiefs, or even represent hybrid forms, those forms which are both human and animal. The human form within African Art, will always be represented as a symbolic, visual abstraction. African Art is rarely, if ever, naturalistic, being more reflective of the simple, symmetrical and regimented forms, characterized by the Art of ancient Egypt. Also, colors are often representational, reflecting the persons emotions, or character. Another particular form of styling, often seen in African Art, is ‘nonlinear scaling’. Many people today might refer to it as 'fractal geometry'. This simply describes the technique of repeating a geometric design, in small and large scale, within a single design.
African Art has a long history, yet recently it has been the subject of much controversy. Many historians and scholars of African Art wishing to include all the visual Arts, which are produced by people within the African continent. Previously, the Art produced by those living in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Horn of Africa, Ancient Egypt and the non blacks of North Africa were not considered to be African Art. The controversy and argument being, that these people live within the African continent and therefore, their work should be considered African Art. Should their work, and their cultures be included, historians believe people will achieve a greater and more realistic perspective of these continents cultural diversity. Muslim, Mediterranean and African Art has often intertwined, and it seems nonsensical to the historians, to draw distinct lines between them.
Of course, African Art was being produced long before historical records began. Sculptures found in Nigeria are believed to be from around 500BC, making them the oldest known, surviving, example of ancient African Art. Many of the great masters of the twentieth century, Van Gogh, Picasso and Matisse included, were inspired by the simplicity and simplicity of African Art. While Artists strained against the formality and constraints which the formal institutes were placing upon them, they realized that African Canvas Art displayed what the imagination and emotions were capable of producing. These artists wished to incorporate the expressive aspects of African Art into Western Arts, not simply continue to create perfect aesthetic reproductions, based on the visual alone. The concept of 'Abstraction', simplification, along with a determined exploration into individual expression and the psychological effects of color, led to a revolution. Western Art would no longer be purely aesthetic, it was to become a more profound and philosophic discourse.
Today, the contemporary Arts are thriving on the African continent. It has to be said, that until recently, ancient, 'traditional' African Art appeared to gain much of the limelight, from historians and collectors alike. However, recently there has been a lot of interest created in contemporary African Art, since Irma Stern and Walter Battiss led the way in the fifties and sixties. Contemporary African Art reflects heavily upon the traditional, and is highly revered by European collectors. Moreover, Italian collectors such as Jean Pigozzi and Gianni Baiocchi. The Venice Biennale is an important contemporary Art exhibition which takes place biannually, and in 2007 it showcased the Sindika Dokolo African Collection of Contemporary Art. Without doubt, doing much to disperse the many myths, which surround contemporary African Art. Many of the uptown London Art Galleries also hold regular African Art exhibitions.
African Art has a wonderful, emotional yet simple ambience, something which appeals to many collectors. There is a huge selection of contemporary works available today, most of which stay true to traditional African Art styling. A style which has become an underlying influence for much the contemporary artwork produced today. African Canvas Art can conjure up many different things for many people, the almost hypnotic images foretelling stories of far away lands and recording those ancient cultures which never cease to intrigue.
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