(AA) Module Overview

African Arts

Photograph of African Masks

Introduction

"Though many casual observers tend to generalize 'traditional' African art, the continent consists of a wide diversity of people, societies, and civilizations, each with a unique visual culture. When considering the totality of the visual culture from the continent of Africa, one can see some unifying themes in African art."

"African artists generally favor three-dimensional artworks over two-dimensional works. Most African sculptures were created in wood and other organic materials that have not survived from earlier than at most a few hundred years ago. Older ceramic figures are found from a number of areas, and masks are important elements in the art of many peoples. Human figures, favoring visual abstraction over naturalistic representation, can be found in a variety of styles, often varying within the same context of origin depending on the use of the object, but wide regional trends are apparent; sculpture is most common among groups in West Africa. Direct images of deities are relatively infrequent, but masks in particular are or were often made for religious ceremonies. African masks were an influence on European Modernist art like Cubism, which was inspired by their lack of concern for naturalistic depiction."

"The human figure has always been one of the primary subject matters for most African art. The subject may symbolize the living or the dead, and reference chiefs, dancers, or various trades such as drummers or hunters. Sculptures may function as a reference to a god or have a votive function."

"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 art. For example, traditional African masks and costumes very often are used in communal ceremonies where they are integral to dances."

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

  • Why and how does art change?
  • How do we describe our thinking about art?
  • How does religion influence art and architecture?
  • How has art been utilized to foster political beliefs?
  • Is art a reflection of its culture or a force to form or shape culture?

Key Terms

In this module, we will study the following key terms:

  1. Bieri - A bieri is a wooden mortuary figure that traditionally guarded the skulls of deceased ancestors.
  2. Ikegobo - An ikegobo is a Benin royal shrine.
  3. Mblo - A mblo is a public entertainment performances consisting of a succession of dances that escalate in complexity and importance, culminating ultimately in tributes to the community's most distinguished member.
  4. Ndop - A ndop is a genre of figurative wood sculpture that portrays important Kuba leaders throughout the eighteenth to twentieth centuries.
  5. Scarification - Scarification is decorative markings made with scars on the human body.
  6. Reliquary - A reliquary is  a container for sacred relics.
  7. Terracotta - Terracotta is hard-baked clay, used for sculpture and as a building material. It may be glazed or painted.

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