Quick History
Africa 1100-1980 C.E.
- Human life, which is understood to have begun in Africa, developed over millions of years and radiated beyond the continent of Africa. The earliest African art dates to 77,000 years ago. While interpretations of this art is conjectural at best, the clarity and strength of design and expression in the work is obvious.
- Human beliefs and interactions in Africa are instigated by the arts. African arts are active; they motivate behavior, contain and express belief and validate social organization and human relations.
- Use and efficacy are central to the art of Africa. African arts, though often characterized, collected and exhibited as figural sculptures and masks, are by nature meant to be performed rather than simply viewed. African arts are often described in terms of the contexts and functions with which they appear to be associated.
- Outsiders have often characterized, collected and exhibited African arts as primitive, ethnographic, anonymous and static, when in reality Africa's interaction with the rest of the world led to dynamic intellectual and artistic traditions that sustain hundreds of cultures and almost as many languages.
- Human life, which is understood to have begun in Africa, developed over millions of years and radiated beyond the continent of Africa. The earliest African art dates to 77,000 years ago. While interpretations of this art is conjectural at best, the clarity and strength of design and expression in the work is obvious.
- Human beliefs and interactions in Africa are instigated by the arts. African arts are active; they motivate behavior, contain and express belief and validate social organization and human relations.
- Use and efficacy are central to the art of Africa. African arts, though often characterized, collected and exhibited as figural sculptures and masks, are by nature meant to be performed rather than simply viewed. African arts are often described in terms of the contexts and functions with which they appear to be associated.
- Outsiders have often characterized, collected and exhibited African arts as primitive, ethnographic, anonymous and static, when in reality Africa's interaction with the rest of the world led to dynamic intellectual and artistic traditions that sustain hundreds of cultures and almost as many languages.
Images and image LIST
Videos & LInks |
1. Conical Tower of Great Zimbabwe
1a.Conical Wall of Great Zimabae 2. Great Mosque of Djenne 3. Wall Plaque, from Oba's palace 3a. Oba of Benin Contextual 4. Sika dwa kofi (Golden Stool) 4a. Contextual of Sika dwa kofi 5. Ndop(portrait figure) of King Mishe miShayaang maMbul 5a. Contextual of Ndop 6. Power Figure, Nkisi n'kondi 7. Female (Pwo) mask 8. Portrait mask (Mblo) 9. Bundu Mask 9a. Contextual Bundu Mask 10. Ikenga (shrine figure) 11. Lukasa (memory board) 11a. Contextual Lukasa 12. Aka elephant mask 12a. Contextual Aka Elephant mask 13. Reliquary figure (byeri) 14. Veranda post of enthroned king and senior wife (Opo Ogoga) |
Met Museum on Africa Art
Art History Resources African Art
Benin Plaques BBC
Kingdoms of Africa-BBC
Yaa Asantewa: Warrior Queen: Golden Stool
Golden Stool Context Essay
Ndop : British Museum Analysis
Nkisi Nkondi Dallas Art Museum
Makishi Masquerade / Makishi Dance and Music
Pwo Mask Essay / Pwo Mask Essay Met Museum
Lukasa Board
Great Zimbabwe-Met article
Mysteries of Great Zimbabwe
Art History Resources African Art
Benin Plaques BBC
Kingdoms of Africa-BBC
Yaa Asantewa: Warrior Queen: Golden Stool
Golden Stool Context Essay
Ndop : British Museum Analysis
Nkisi Nkondi Dallas Art Museum
Makishi Masquerade / Makishi Dance and Music
Pwo Mask Essay / Pwo Mask Essay Met Museum
Lukasa Board
Great Zimbabwe-Met article
Mysteries of Great Zimbabwe