 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
 |
 |
 |
AFRICAN ARTWORK |
ast Africa is a uniquely diverse region with a multitude of cultures, religions, traditions and beliefs. The art of the region unlike that of west Africa, south Africa and north Africa is more varied in its diversity. In particular, east Africa is a melange of these diversities. The art of the region is best categorized as traditional contemporary.
This kind of art is a re-birth of traditional values, beliefs and cultures; all entangled in a contemporary flavour. The medium, method, artistry, subject and ideology is unchanged through time immemorial. What has changed a great deal is the diversity of subject matter. This would best be explained by the diversity of influences that dominate the region today. Modernization in Africa has played a significant role in the artists varied subject matter. The easier migration of peoples has bridged people, cultures, boundaries and ideas. Unique to Africa is sculpture and drawing; this dating back into time ever present. Today sculpture is unchanged in its process but the mediums, subjects and techniques have taken on this diversified post-colonial influence. Drawing however has changed considerably, oil painting, batik work and water colors are a medium of portrayal new to the region. These forms of art were introduced by the early european and asian settlers. All of these forms of art have been the mainstay of African art as we know it today. Recently, metal, clay and cast bronze sculpturing techniques were introduced to the region. These new forms of art, although in their infancy, create a new generation of art that promises to be both diverse and interesting. This does however present a difficult situation. The newer forms of art are easier to work with for obvious reasons; availability of raw materials and are therefore relatively inexpensive. This in turn causes the newer younger artists of today to opt for training in this area of art and expertise. The older generation of artists working on sculptures, have become a dying breed. With no one to learn their form of art and the increasing difficulty to obtain raw materials, they will become a commodity in their own right. Once again, Africa is changing and paving the way for a new generation. It is predicted that the sculptured art form in wood will become as rare and impossible to obtain as Ivory is today. Replaced by art that is both easier to acquire, easier to work with and requires less time to complete. For more on the individual mediums of art, please select from the sculpture, batik, water colors, oils on canvas and other works buttons on the left menu bar. |
