What is African art called?

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.

How would you describe African art?

African art describes the modern and historical paintings, sculptures, installations, and other visual culture from native or indigenous Africans and the African continent. For more than a millennium, the art of such areas had formed part of Berber or Islamic art, although with many particular local characteristics.

What were Africans called in ancient times?

Alkebulan
In Kemetic History of Afrika, Dr cheikh Anah Diop writes, “The ancient name of Africa was Alkebulan. Alkebu-lan “mother of mankind” or “garden of Eden”.” Alkebulan is the oldest and the only word of indigenous origin. It was used by the Moors, Nubians, Numidians, Khart-Haddans (Carthagenians), and Ethiopians.

What attracted Europeans to African art?

The cultural and aesthetic milieu of late-nineteenth-century Europe fostered an atmosphere in which African artifacts, once regarded as mere curios, became admired for their artistic qualities. Increasing interest among artists and their patrons gradually brought African art to prominence in the Western art world.

What was African art used for?

Many African artworks were (and continue to be) created to serve a social, religious, or political function. In its original setting, an artifact may have different uses and embody a variety of meanings. These uses may change over time.

How African cultures express its arts and crafts?

Africa has a rich tradition of arts and crafts. African arts and crafts find expression in a variety of woodcarvings, brass and leather artworks. African arts and crafts also include sculpture, paintings, pottery, ceremonial and religious headgear and dress.

When was the word Africa first used?

The word Africa came into existence in the late 17th century. Initially, it was used to only refer to the northern part of the continent. Around that time, the continent had been colonized, and the Europeans ruled over its people as slaves. They influenced the change of identity from Alkebulan to its present name.

How does African art differ from European art?

African Art is much different in use from its Western Art counterparts. Western Art, is used to decorate walls and can be studied for its perspective, lines, symmetry and many other artistic forms. African Art was used as an integral part of the societies rituals, dances and ceremonies.

What is traditional African art?

What is called Traditional African Art is what is most commonly recognized by Westerners. Wooden masks feature heavily in Traditional artworks, and originate mostly from Western African countries. These masks are created to represent human, animal, or mythical creatures and are used for ceremonial purposes.

What is an example of African art?

For example, in Central Africa the arts often represent time and symbolic rites of passage. In Eastern Africa, the elements of African art include a combination of African, Western and Middle East influences. Status within a group is reflected in the elaborateness of objects used on a daily basis.

How many elements of African art are there?

There are 5 elements of African art that are used to describe the aesthetics. Yet African art is so simple and complex at the same time that the elements can’t capture its real meaning and purpose.

When did Europeans start to collect African sculptures?

These avant-garde artists, their dealers, and leading critics of the era were among the first Europeans to collect African sculptures for their aesthetic value. Starting in the 1870s, thousands of African sculptures arrived in Europe in the aftermath of colonial conquest and exploratory expeditions.

How does African regional art reflect a particular area’s culture?

African regional art reflects a particular area’s culture by making use of local materials. For example, in Central Africa the arts often represent time and symbolic rites of passage. In Eastern Africa, the elements of African art include a combination of African, Western and Middle East influences.