African Art

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African Art

• By Jennifer Sims

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Basic Characteristic of African Art

• Art made was made from the resources available.
• Art was originally made for the functional
  purpose.
• Along with being utilitarian, art was also used
  in ceremonies and rituals.

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More Characteristics of African Art

• Style of art created was abstract in style.
• Many works of art are based upon symmetrical
  balance.
• Use of patterns in the design of baskets and
  fabric design are common.
• Use of bright colors is common in fabric design
  and on buildings.

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Mask

• Carved from wood.
• Mask had great spiritual importance.
• Often the mask were abstract in style since they
  represented spirits.

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Types of Masks

• face mask mask worn to hide the identity of
  the wearer.
• headpieces ornamental or ceremonial
  coverings that were worn on the head.
• shoulder mask covered the head and rested on
  the shoulders of the wearer.

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Types of Mask
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Kente Cloth

• Made by the Ashante weavers. Originally worn by
  Ashante royalty.
• First woven in strips 60 inches long and then
  sewn together.
• A Kente cloths colors and designs carry symbolic
  meaning. EX history, values, or beliefs.

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Kente Cloth

• Characteristics of Kente Cloth
• Geometric shapes
• Bright colors
• Patterns

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Pottery

• Pottery was produced to carry water and food in.
• Then later sold to tourist to bring in income.
• Pottery was made by the coil method.

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More Pottery
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Baskets

• Baskets were woven to make containers for
  carrying things.
• Often patterns were made in the baskets by using
  different colored grass that may have been dyed.

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More Baskets
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Figure Sculptures

• Figures were carved from wood.
• Also, some areas of Africa used bronze to cast
  their sculptures.
• Figures have symmetrical balance.
• Sculptures were abstract in style.

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More Figure Sculptures

• Rituals were performed during the process of
  making the sculptures.
• Rituals included offerings to the spirit of the
  tree that the wood was taken from.

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Musical Instruments
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Ceremonial/Ritual Purpose

• African Art was used in many instances for
  ceremonies or rituals.
• Mask were used to transform tribal members into
  spirits.
• Dance and music was used to enhance the ceremony.

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More Ceremonial Scenes
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Impact of African Art on Art of the 20th Century

• Examples of African Art mask and figure
  sculptures were first seen in Europe during the
  end of the 19th century.
• Influenced artist like Pablo Picasso and others
  to work in an abstract style in the 20th century.

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Summary

• African Art was created to be functional or
  utilitarian, which means to use.
• Some art was used in ceremonies and/or rituals.
• Art was abstract in style, because it was often
  representing a spirit.
• Artwork often has symmetrical balance.
• Types of African Art include mask, Kente Cloth,
  baskets, pottery, figure sculptures, and musical
  instruments.

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Characteristics of African Art

• Mask
• - symmetrical balance
• -made of wood, bronze and other resources.
• Kente Cloth
• - geometric shapes
• - bright colors
• - patterns

• Pottery
• - coil method
• Baskets
• - patterns
• Figure Sculptures
• - symmetrical balance
• - carved of wood, some cast in bronze
• Musical Instruments