African Art
There are no dates associated with a lot of today because most of the artists who created them neither signed their names nor dated the objects themselves. Wood was one of the most frequently used materials—often embellished by clay, shells, beads, ivory, metal, feathers, and shredded raffia. Due to the fact that most is made of wood, and wood does not usually last long in harsh African environments, most of the wooden objects in the program probably date from the late 19th or early 20th century. It is important to note that even these figures are guesswork.
However, some allowances can be made when talking about the history or authenticity of . Despite using wood to create art, ists ...
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people. However, this statement is very untrue, to the individual who has taken the time to study the history and culture of the Africa on its own while eliminating as much bias thought as possible.
For example, when we look at pottery we can disprove the theory that all early Africans were nomadic. In African History, it is stated that “ceramics are a good indicator of a sedentary life style because their weight and their fragility makes them unstable for a nomadic life (P.5).” From this we can asses that all early Africans were not hunter gathers, because this would not have been feasible when trying to explain some of the artwork that we have today.
Art was very important in African societies of the past. However, it functioned as something else. Richard Olaniyan states that “when considering the place of art in African culture, it must be stressed that the objects we now refer t as art were not originally destined to be displayed…for aesthetic contemplation (p.200).” ...
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tools, pots, musical instruments, furnishings, masks, cult statues and various other artifacts were not meant to please aesthetically, they were for the survival and sustainment of the specific culture which created them.
What we call African “art” was created was often created for a specific purpose or task. Many of the masks and figurines that individuals find so aesthetically pleasing as “art” were originally carved for ritual or ceremonial purposes, probably religious in nature to be more specific. For example, the Kuba tribe often carved cups in the form of human heads. This wasn’t done for the sake of art or creativity, it was done to pay homage and respect to the nobility and ...
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African Art. (2006, November 21). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/African-Art/55908
"African Art." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 21 Nov. 2006. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/African-Art/55908>
"African Art." Essayworld.com. November 21, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/African-Art/55908.
"African Art." Essayworld.com. November 21, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/African-Art/55908.
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