SlideShare una empresa de Scribd logo
1 de 19
Descargar para leer sin conexión
Ancient African Art
By: Kavita Sinha, Jason Seidman, and Phil Hochman

(8000 BCE - 2000 CE)
Map of Africa
●
●
●
●
●
●

2nd largest, most populated
continent
Includes 54 individual countries
Mediterranean Sea to the north
Suez Canal, Red Sea along the
Sinai Peninsula to the northeast
Indian Ocean to the east and
southeast
Atlantic Ocean to the west
Key Ideas
●

Much African art is created around spirituality, the spirit world, and the role of ancestors
in our lives

●

African artists prefer wood, but notable works are also done in ivory and metal

●

African art is rarely decorative, but made for a purpose, often for ceremonies

●

African architecture is predominantly made of mud-brick; stone is rare, but can be seen
in Zimbabwe and in Ethiopian churches
Issues Present in Art
●

Family and Respect for Elders
●
●

●

Believed both things were key components of life
Many sculptures are representations of family ancestors
● sculptures carved to venerate their spirits

Fertility of women and the land
●
●
●

Highly regarded
Spirits of the forest or those associated with natural phenomenon were respected
and worshipped
Sculptures of suckling mothers are extremely common
Major Stylistic Periods
CIVILIZATION

TIME PERIOD

LOCATION

Nok

500 BCE - 200 CE

Nigeria

Great Zimbabwe

11th - 15th centuries

Zimbabwe

Ife Culture

11th - 12th centuries

Nigeria

Aksum

1200 - 1527

Ethiopia

Benin

13th - 19th centuries

Nigeria

Mende

19th - 20th centuries

Sierra Leone

Kongo

19th - 20th centuries

Congo
Historical Events
●
●

●

1000 - 300 BCE
Phoenicians and Greeks form settlements along the
Mediterranean coast of North Africa to extend trade routes across the Sahara
600 - 700 CE
Islamic Empire spread across North Africa and Islamic merchants
often visited, spreading Islamic culture. Gold taken from West Africa helped Islamic
culture flourish
● East Africa was part of maritime trade in the Indian Ocean. The language of
Swahili developed from interactions (conflict) with Arabic-speaking merchants. Port
cities such as Kilwa, Mombasa, and Mogadishu arose
1400 CE
Europeans traveled down the Atlantic Ocean along the coast of Africa.
They rediscovered the continent.
Patronage and Artistic Life
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●

African objects are unsigned and undated (tradition relies on oral records of history)
Artists worked on commission
● lived with patrons until the commission was completed
Apprenticeship training was the standard
Artists had guilds that promoted their work and elevated their profession
Men were builders and carvers and could wear masks
Women painted walls and created ceramics
● In Sierra Leone and Liberia, women wore masks during coming-of-age ceremonies
Both were weavers
Most collectable art originated in farming communities - bronze and wood sculpture
Nomadic people produced more body art
Art imported into Europe during the Renaissance more as curiosities than artistic objects
● accepted into European artistic circles in the early twentieth century
Architecture
●

●
●

●
●

Built to be cool and comfortable
● provide relief from the hot African
weather
Often built using mud-brick walls and thatched
roofs
Mud-brick was easy and inexpensive to make
● Had to be carefully maintained during
rainy seasons
Timbers were horizontally placed as
maintenance ladders
Usually avoided stonework in architecture and
sculpture
● makes the royal complex at Zimbabwe
unique
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe, fourteenth century, Zimbabwe
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●

Prosperous trading center and royal complex
Stone enclosure, probably a royal residence
● said to be the capital of the Queen of Sheba
Constructed of granite slabs
Oldest stone monument of the Sahara
● Built between 1100 and 1450 CE
Walls 30 feet high
Conical tower modeled on traditional shape of grain
silos
Control over food symbolized wealth and power
Walls slope inward toward the top
● Provides support since no mortar was used
Internal and external passageway are tightly bounded,
narrow, and long
Images of Great Zimbabwe

Arial View

Internal Passageway
Sculpture
●
●

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●

Art is mostly portable - very few large sculptures
Wood is the favored material
● Trees were honored and symbolically repaid for the branches
taken from them
Ivory was used as a sign of rank or prestige
Metal shows strength and durability/restricted to royalty
Stone is extremely rare
Figures are usually frontal
Symmetry is used sometimes
No preliminary sketches
Stiffness to all works
Heads are disproportionately large - intelligence
Sexual characteristics are enlarged
Bodies are immature and small, fingers are rare
Physical reality is avoided
Important sculpture always created for a purpose
Nok heads were major works of African sculpture
Nok Head
Nok Head, 500 BCE-200 CE, terra-cotta, Nigeria
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●

May have been part of a full-sized figure
Triangular eyes
High arching eyebrows parallels sagging underside of
eyes; voids of the irises draws attention
Mouth indicates speech; nose barely modeled - widely
spaced flaring nostrils
Holes for airing out large ceramics during firing in eyes,
nostrils, mouth
Human head appears cylindrical
Each of the large buns of the hairstyle is pierced with a
hole that may have held ornamental feathers
May represent ordinary people dressed for special
occasions, or it may portray people of high status
Some figures had necklaces, bracelets, etc.
Used as ancestor portrayal, grave marker, charms
Contemporary Art
●
●

●

●

●

●

Pioneered in 1950s and 1960s
Colonial period & Years after World War II
● African artists trained in the
techniques of European art
Most contemporary works have ties to
traditional African folklore, belief systems,
and imagery
Use of new mediums such as oils and silk
screening
● Break from the traditional wooden
masks/sculptures, cloths, and body
painting
Contemporary artists borrow from traditional
predecessors of the Western world
● Ex. Pablo Picasso
Julie Mehretu

Julie Mehretu
RENEGADE DELIRIUM
2002
Dispersion
Julie Mehretu, Dispersion, 2002
●
●
●
●
●

●
●
●
●

Ink and acrylic on canvas
Collection of Nicolas and Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn
New York
Start seeing abstract works of African art
Works show the transitional movement of people uprooted
by choice or force to create new identities during a time of
globalization and change
● change of African tradition
Work has a conceptual complexity
Suggests the difficulty of creating and negotiating a
communal space in the contemporary world
Also suggests a new kind of space - “cyberspace”
● results in room for artistic exploration
Rift divides the painting in half - separation of two worlds
Jackson Pollock
Similarities
●
●
●
●
●
●

Western equivalent to the work of Julie Mehretu
Nonobjective
Abstract
Freedom of expression
Swooping lines
No defined figures

Differences
●
●
●

Pollock leaves no open spaces
Does not paint over architectural plans
No predetermined size of painting

Jackson Pollock
UNTITLED NO. 3
1948
Textiles
●
●
●

●
●
●

Made from cotton, animal fibers, grass fibers
Woven cloth made on narrow and horizontal
looms
Motifs and patterns of cloth produced by a
variety of techniques
● resist dyeing, tie dyeing, direct painting
on the fabric
Cloth indicates status, personal, and group
identity
Often worn to beautify, complement, and
enhance the body
Adire
● White cotton
● Painted with cassava starch and
dropped in indigo dye
● Areas covered in starch remain white
Kente Cloth
Kente Cloth, Ashanti Culture, Ghana
●
●
●
●
●
●
●

20th century
Silk
Weaving introduced in Ghana during the seventeenth
century
Light, horizontal looms that produce long, narrow
strips of cloth
Originally reserved for state regalia
Man wore a single piece, wrapped like a toga with no
belt and the right shoulder bare
Women wore two pieces - skirt and shawl
Masks
●
●
●
●

Masks carved in wood and metal
Costumed dancers don masks and assume the power of the
spirit it represents
Role of the mask is never decorative, but functional and
spiritual
Works have powers that are symbolically greater than their
visual representation

Mende Mask of Sierra Leone (Nowo), twentieth century, wood
●
●
●
●
●
●
●

Female ancestor spirits
High forehead = wisdom
Used for initiation rites to adulthood
Symbolic of the chrysalis of a butterfly
Shiny black surface
Small horizontal features
Elaborate hairstyle decorated with combs
Glossary
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Ciré perdue: the lost wax process; a bronze casting method in which a figure is modeled
in clay and covered with wax and then recovered with clay; when fired in a kiln, the wax
melts away, leaving a channel between the two layers of clay which can be used as a
mold for liquid metal
Fetish: an object believed to possess magical powers
Finials: knoblike architectural decorations usually found at the top point of a spire,
pinnacle, canopy, or gable; also found on furniture or the top of a staff
Jijora: the idea of floating between the concrete and the abstract; not too realistic
Kente: Ashanti woven textiles
Nowo: black masks worn by the Mende women to initiate young girls into adulthood
Scarification: scarring of the skin in patterns by cutting with a knife; when the cut heals,
a raised pattern is created, which is painted
Shaman: keeper of the power figure

Más contenido relacionado

La actualidad más candente (20)

Early Renaissance in Italy
Early Renaissance in ItalyEarly Renaissance in Italy
Early Renaissance in Italy
 
Gothic art
Gothic artGothic art
Gothic art
 
Greek Art and Style
Greek Art and StyleGreek Art and Style
Greek Art and Style
 
Art timeline
Art timelineArt timeline
Art timeline
 
Greek Sculpture
Greek SculptureGreek Sculpture
Greek Sculpture
 
Ancient Greek Art History Updated
Ancient Greek Art History UpdatedAncient Greek Art History Updated
Ancient Greek Art History Updated
 
Byzantine art
Byzantine artByzantine art
Byzantine art
 
Mannerism
MannerismMannerism
Mannerism
 
Rococo art movement by Ana Roiz
Rococo art movement by Ana RoizRococo art movement by Ana Roiz
Rococo art movement by Ana Roiz
 
History of art
History of artHistory of art
History of art
 
Gothic Art and Architecture
Gothic Art and ArchitectureGothic Art and Architecture
Gothic Art and Architecture
 
Art history group 1 greek art
Art history group 1 greek artArt history group 1 greek art
Art history group 1 greek art
 
Greek art
Greek artGreek art
Greek art
 
Greek Art
Greek ArtGreek Art
Greek Art
 
Art styles and periods : Research Initiative
Art styles and periods : Research InitiativeArt styles and periods : Research Initiative
Art styles and periods : Research Initiative
 
Roman Sculpture
Roman SculptureRoman Sculpture
Roman Sculpture
 
Prehistoric art
Prehistoric artPrehistoric art
Prehistoric art
 
Gothic Art
Gothic ArtGothic Art
Gothic Art
 
Raphael
RaphaelRaphael
Raphael
 
African art powerpoint 1
African art   powerpoint 1African art   powerpoint 1
African art powerpoint 1
 

Destacado

Sub-Saharan African Art
Sub-Saharan African ArtSub-Saharan African Art
Sub-Saharan African ArtRoxanne Farrar
 
African Art
African ArtAfrican Art
African Artguzmanr
 
African art powerpoint
African art powerpointAfrican art powerpoint
African art powerpointPaul Perthus
 
Hunter Gatherers
Hunter GatherersHunter Gatherers
Hunter Gatherersehansinger
 
Ancient Africa Powerpoint Shayna Christina Tom
Ancient Africa Powerpoint Shayna Christina TomAncient Africa Powerpoint Shayna Christina Tom
Ancient Africa Powerpoint Shayna Christina Tombassmanb
 
African art presentation
African art presentationAfrican art presentation
African art presentationJuliannaPalomba
 
Ancient African Art
Ancient African ArtAncient African Art
Ancient African Artauttendorfer
 
African american artists
African american artistsAfrican american artists
African american artistsArtfulArtsyAmy
 
Art of Africa and African-American Artists
Art of Africa and African-American ArtistsArt of Africa and African-American Artists
Art of Africa and African-American Artiststaraballenger
 
Ancient Africa Art History Survey
Ancient Africa Art History SurveyAncient Africa Art History Survey
Ancient Africa Art History SurveyPaige Prater
 
The three kingdoms of west africa
The three kingdoms of west africaThe three kingdoms of west africa
The three kingdoms of west africaKimberly Simpson
 
West African Kingdoms
West African KingdomsWest African Kingdoms
West African KingdomsGreg Sill
 
Introduction to african history, culture and society
Introduction to african history, culture and societyIntroduction to african history, culture and society
Introduction to african history, culture and societyglyvive
 
Examen físico Respiratorio
Examen físico RespiratorioExamen físico Respiratorio
Examen físico RespiratorioDiego Martínez
 
poster on drug wars in mexico
poster on drug wars in mexicoposter on drug wars in mexico
poster on drug wars in mexicoeviejones26
 
Police Corruption In Mexico- Sara Abbas
Police Corruption In Mexico- Sara AbbasPolice Corruption In Mexico- Sara Abbas
Police Corruption In Mexico- Sara AbbasAfaf
 

Destacado (20)

African Art
African ArtAfrican Art
African Art
 
Sub-Saharan African Art
Sub-Saharan African ArtSub-Saharan African Art
Sub-Saharan African Art
 
African Art
African ArtAfrican Art
African Art
 
African art powerpoint
African art powerpointAfrican art powerpoint
African art powerpoint
 
Hunter Gatherers
Hunter GatherersHunter Gatherers
Hunter Gatherers
 
Ancient Africa Powerpoint Shayna Christina Tom
Ancient Africa Powerpoint Shayna Christina TomAncient Africa Powerpoint Shayna Christina Tom
Ancient Africa Powerpoint Shayna Christina Tom
 
African art presentation
African art presentationAfrican art presentation
African art presentation
 
Ancient African Art
Ancient African ArtAncient African Art
Ancient African Art
 
African american artists
African american artistsAfrican american artists
African american artists
 
Art of Africa and African-American Artists
Art of Africa and African-American ArtistsArt of Africa and African-American Artists
Art of Africa and African-American Artists
 
AHTR African Art
AHTR African ArtAHTR African Art
AHTR African Art
 
Ancient Africa Art History Survey
Ancient Africa Art History SurveyAncient Africa Art History Survey
Ancient Africa Art History Survey
 
The three kingdoms of west africa
The three kingdoms of west africaThe three kingdoms of west africa
The three kingdoms of west africa
 
West African Kingdoms
West African KingdomsWest African Kingdoms
West African Kingdoms
 
Introduction to african history, culture and society
Introduction to african history, culture and societyIntroduction to african history, culture and society
Introduction to african history, culture and society
 
Examen físico Respiratorio
Examen físico RespiratorioExamen físico Respiratorio
Examen físico Respiratorio
 
TAR34p100
TAR34p100TAR34p100
TAR34p100
 
poster on drug wars in mexico
poster on drug wars in mexicoposter on drug wars in mexico
poster on drug wars in mexico
 
Police Corruption In Mexico- Sara Abbas
Police Corruption In Mexico- Sara AbbasPolice Corruption In Mexico- Sara Abbas
Police Corruption In Mexico- Sara Abbas
 
Mexico p3
Mexico p3Mexico p3
Mexico p3
 

Similar a African Art APAH

AP Art History Unit 2 & 9 snapshots.pptx
AP Art History Unit 2 & 9 snapshots.pptxAP Art History Unit 2 & 9 snapshots.pptx
AP Art History Unit 2 & 9 snapshots.pptxIvyHung8
 
japanese.pptx
japanese.pptxjapanese.pptx
japanese.pptxSKUOJ12
 
Vases from Around the World
Vases from Around the WorldVases from Around the World
Vases from Around the WorldEmily
 
Chinese Art APAH
Chinese Art APAHChinese Art APAH
Chinese Art APAHsmolinskiel
 
Art History: Neolithic Japan and Mesopotamia
Art History: Neolithic Japan and MesopotamiaArt History: Neolithic Japan and Mesopotamia
Art History: Neolithic Japan and MesopotamiaPhilip Oechsli
 
A History of Oriental & Eastern Art
A History of Oriental & Eastern ArtA History of Oriental & Eastern Art
A History of Oriental & Eastern ArtMallams Auctioneers
 
philippinearthistory-161017025843.pdf
philippinearthistory-161017025843.pdfphilippinearthistory-161017025843.pdf
philippinearthistory-161017025843.pdfEricaJoyVillaruel
 
Lesson-1-Indonesian-Art 2ND QUARTER LESSON
Lesson-1-Indonesian-Art 2ND QUARTER LESSONLesson-1-Indonesian-Art 2ND QUARTER LESSON
Lesson-1-Indonesian-Art 2ND QUARTER LESSONCarminaFoz
 
Arts unit-1-elements and principles of arts and crafts in southeast asia
Arts unit-1-elements and principles of arts and crafts in southeast asiaArts unit-1-elements and principles of arts and crafts in southeast asia
Arts unit-1-elements and principles of arts and crafts in southeast asiaJonaAcosta5
 
Influence of asian art on
Influence of asian art onInfluence of asian art on
Influence of asian art onBernadeth Ouano
 
Pre trip task national museum
Pre trip task  national museumPre trip task  national museum
Pre trip task national museummgtaiwanrocs2013
 

Similar a African Art APAH (20)

AP Art History Unit 2 & 9 snapshots.pptx
AP Art History Unit 2 & 9 snapshots.pptxAP Art History Unit 2 & 9 snapshots.pptx
AP Art History Unit 2 & 9 snapshots.pptx
 
japanese.pptx
japanese.pptxjapanese.pptx
japanese.pptx
 
Art apprec ch 12
Art apprec ch 12Art apprec ch 12
Art apprec ch 12
 
Vases from Around the World
Vases from Around the WorldVases from Around the World
Vases from Around the World
 
Unit 4 History of Ceramic Sculpture
Unit 4 History of Ceramic SculptureUnit 4 History of Ceramic Sculpture
Unit 4 History of Ceramic Sculpture
 
Chapter 10 & 11
Chapter 10 & 11Chapter 10 & 11
Chapter 10 & 11
 
Arts Introduction
Arts IntroductionArts Introduction
Arts Introduction
 
Chapter 12 - Craft
Chapter 12 - CraftChapter 12 - Craft
Chapter 12 - Craft
 
Chinese Art APAH
Chinese Art APAHChinese Art APAH
Chinese Art APAH
 
Art History: Neolithic Japan and Mesopotamia
Art History: Neolithic Japan and MesopotamiaArt History: Neolithic Japan and Mesopotamia
Art History: Neolithic Japan and Mesopotamia
 
A History of Oriental & Eastern Art
A History of Oriental & Eastern ArtA History of Oriental & Eastern Art
A History of Oriental & Eastern Art
 
Cl-9 Ch-1.pptx
Cl-9 Ch-1.pptxCl-9 Ch-1.pptx
Cl-9 Ch-1.pptx
 
Persian Fantasy
Persian FantasyPersian Fantasy
Persian Fantasy
 
philippinearthistory-161017025843.pdf
philippinearthistory-161017025843.pdfphilippinearthistory-161017025843.pdf
philippinearthistory-161017025843.pdf
 
Lesson-1-Indonesian-Art 2ND QUARTER LESSON
Lesson-1-Indonesian-Art 2ND QUARTER LESSONLesson-1-Indonesian-Art 2ND QUARTER LESSON
Lesson-1-Indonesian-Art 2ND QUARTER LESSON
 
Philippine Art History
Philippine Art HistoryPhilippine Art History
Philippine Art History
 
Sculpture in Relief
Sculpture in ReliefSculpture in Relief
Sculpture in Relief
 
Arts unit-1-elements and principles of arts and crafts in southeast asia
Arts unit-1-elements and principles of arts and crafts in southeast asiaArts unit-1-elements and principles of arts and crafts in southeast asia
Arts unit-1-elements and principles of arts and crafts in southeast asia
 
Influence of asian art on
Influence of asian art onInfluence of asian art on
Influence of asian art on
 
Pre trip task national museum
Pre trip task  national museumPre trip task  national museum
Pre trip task national museum
 

Más de smolinskiel

Memory project caea conference
Memory project caea conferenceMemory project caea conference
Memory project caea conferencesmolinskiel
 
2 point perspective
2 point perspective 2 point perspective
2 point perspective smolinskiel
 
One point perspective
One point perspective One point perspective
One point perspective smolinskiel
 
Space power point
Space power pointSpace power point
Space power pointsmolinskiel
 
Composition power point
Composition power pointComposition power point
Composition power pointsmolinskiel
 
Elements of art 2015
Elements of art 2015Elements of art 2015
Elements of art 2015smolinskiel
 
Weir farm powerpoint
Weir farm powerpointWeir farm powerpoint
Weir farm powerpointsmolinskiel
 
Chapter 29 take home test images
Chapter 29 take home test imagesChapter 29 take home test images
Chapter 29 take home test imagessmolinskiel
 
18th Century Art in Europe and the Americas
18th Century Art in Europe and the Americas18th Century Art in Europe and the Americas
18th Century Art in Europe and the Americassmolinskiel
 
The International Scene Since 1945
The International Scene Since 1945The International Scene Since 1945
The International Scene Since 1945smolinskiel
 
Modern Art in Europe and the Americas 1900-1945
Modern Art in Europe and the Americas 1900-1945Modern Art in Europe and the Americas 1900-1945
Modern Art in Europe and the Americas 1900-1945smolinskiel
 
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: Part 2
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: Part 219th Century Art in Europe and the US: Part 2
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: Part 2smolinskiel
 
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: PART 1
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: PART 119th Century Art in Europe and the US: PART 1
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: PART 1smolinskiel
 
Late northern Renaissance 16th century
Late northern Renaissance 16th centuryLate northern Renaissance 16th century
Late northern Renaissance 16th centurysmolinskiel
 
16th century italian renaissance
16th century italian renaissance16th century italian renaissance
16th century italian renaissancesmolinskiel
 
Italian Renaissance by Kavita
Italian Renaissance by KavitaItalian Renaissance by Kavita
Italian Renaissance by Kavitasmolinskiel
 
Italian Renaissance by Kavita
Italian Renaissance by KavitaItalian Renaissance by Kavita
Italian Renaissance by Kavitasmolinskiel
 

Más de smolinskiel (20)

Memory project caea conference
Memory project caea conferenceMemory project caea conference
Memory project caea conference
 
2 point perspective
2 point perspective 2 point perspective
2 point perspective
 
One point perspective
One point perspective One point perspective
One point perspective
 
Space power point
Space power pointSpace power point
Space power point
 
Block printing
Block printingBlock printing
Block printing
 
Composition power point
Composition power pointComposition power point
Composition power point
 
Line animals
Line animalsLine animals
Line animals
 
Elements of art 2015
Elements of art 2015Elements of art 2015
Elements of art 2015
 
Weir farm powerpoint
Weir farm powerpointWeir farm powerpoint
Weir farm powerpoint
 
Chapter 29 take home test images
Chapter 29 take home test imagesChapter 29 take home test images
Chapter 29 take home test images
 
18th Century Art in Europe and the Americas
18th Century Art in Europe and the Americas18th Century Art in Europe and the Americas
18th Century Art in Europe and the Americas
 
The International Scene Since 1945
The International Scene Since 1945The International Scene Since 1945
The International Scene Since 1945
 
Modern Art in Europe and the Americas 1900-1945
Modern Art in Europe and the Americas 1900-1945Modern Art in Europe and the Americas 1900-1945
Modern Art in Europe and the Americas 1900-1945
 
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: Part 2
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: Part 219th Century Art in Europe and the US: Part 2
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: Part 2
 
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: PART 1
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: PART 119th Century Art in Europe and the US: PART 1
19th Century Art in Europe and the US: PART 1
 
Baroque Art
Baroque ArtBaroque Art
Baroque Art
 
Late northern Renaissance 16th century
Late northern Renaissance 16th centuryLate northern Renaissance 16th century
Late northern Renaissance 16th century
 
16th century italian renaissance
16th century italian renaissance16th century italian renaissance
16th century italian renaissance
 
Italian Renaissance by Kavita
Italian Renaissance by KavitaItalian Renaissance by Kavita
Italian Renaissance by Kavita
 
Italian Renaissance by Kavita
Italian Renaissance by KavitaItalian Renaissance by Kavita
Italian Renaissance by Kavita
 

Último

Carowinds 2024: Thrills, Spills & Surprises
Carowinds 2024: Thrills, Spills & SurprisesCarowinds 2024: Thrills, Spills & Surprises
Carowinds 2024: Thrills, Spills & Surprisescarawinds99
 
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ..."Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...RAGHURAMYC
 
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your LifeSalty Vixen Stories & More
 
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzersTaylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzersSJU Quizzers
 
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"IdolsArts
 
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.pptYoung adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.pptSJU Quizzers
 
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content ProductionInside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Productionget joys
 

Último (7)

Carowinds 2024: Thrills, Spills & Surprises
Carowinds 2024: Thrills, Spills & SurprisesCarowinds 2024: Thrills, Spills & Surprises
Carowinds 2024: Thrills, Spills & Surprises
 
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ..."Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
"Quest for Knowledge: An Exciting Journey Through 40 Brain-Bending Questions ...
 
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
5 Moments of Everyday Self-Loathing That Perfectly Describe Your Life
 
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzersTaylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
Taylor Swift quiz( with answers) by SJU quizzers
 
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
Holi:: "The Festival of Colors in India"
 
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.pptYoung adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
Young adult book quiz by SJU quizzers.ppt
 
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content ProductionInside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
Inside Look: Brooke Monk's Exclusive OnlyFans Content Production
 

African Art APAH

  • 1. Ancient African Art By: Kavita Sinha, Jason Seidman, and Phil Hochman (8000 BCE - 2000 CE)
  • 2. Map of Africa ● ● ● ● ● ● 2nd largest, most populated continent Includes 54 individual countries Mediterranean Sea to the north Suez Canal, Red Sea along the Sinai Peninsula to the northeast Indian Ocean to the east and southeast Atlantic Ocean to the west
  • 3. Key Ideas ● Much African art is created around spirituality, the spirit world, and the role of ancestors in our lives ● African artists prefer wood, but notable works are also done in ivory and metal ● African art is rarely decorative, but made for a purpose, often for ceremonies ● African architecture is predominantly made of mud-brick; stone is rare, but can be seen in Zimbabwe and in Ethiopian churches
  • 4. Issues Present in Art ● Family and Respect for Elders ● ● ● Believed both things were key components of life Many sculptures are representations of family ancestors ● sculptures carved to venerate their spirits Fertility of women and the land ● ● ● Highly regarded Spirits of the forest or those associated with natural phenomenon were respected and worshipped Sculptures of suckling mothers are extremely common
  • 5. Major Stylistic Periods CIVILIZATION TIME PERIOD LOCATION Nok 500 BCE - 200 CE Nigeria Great Zimbabwe 11th - 15th centuries Zimbabwe Ife Culture 11th - 12th centuries Nigeria Aksum 1200 - 1527 Ethiopia Benin 13th - 19th centuries Nigeria Mende 19th - 20th centuries Sierra Leone Kongo 19th - 20th centuries Congo
  • 6. Historical Events ● ● ● 1000 - 300 BCE Phoenicians and Greeks form settlements along the Mediterranean coast of North Africa to extend trade routes across the Sahara 600 - 700 CE Islamic Empire spread across North Africa and Islamic merchants often visited, spreading Islamic culture. Gold taken from West Africa helped Islamic culture flourish ● East Africa was part of maritime trade in the Indian Ocean. The language of Swahili developed from interactions (conflict) with Arabic-speaking merchants. Port cities such as Kilwa, Mombasa, and Mogadishu arose 1400 CE Europeans traveled down the Atlantic Ocean along the coast of Africa. They rediscovered the continent.
  • 7. Patronage and Artistic Life ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● African objects are unsigned and undated (tradition relies on oral records of history) Artists worked on commission ● lived with patrons until the commission was completed Apprenticeship training was the standard Artists had guilds that promoted their work and elevated their profession Men were builders and carvers and could wear masks Women painted walls and created ceramics ● In Sierra Leone and Liberia, women wore masks during coming-of-age ceremonies Both were weavers Most collectable art originated in farming communities - bronze and wood sculpture Nomadic people produced more body art Art imported into Europe during the Renaissance more as curiosities than artistic objects ● accepted into European artistic circles in the early twentieth century
  • 8. Architecture ● ● ● ● ● Built to be cool and comfortable ● provide relief from the hot African weather Often built using mud-brick walls and thatched roofs Mud-brick was easy and inexpensive to make ● Had to be carefully maintained during rainy seasons Timbers were horizontally placed as maintenance ladders Usually avoided stonework in architecture and sculpture ● makes the royal complex at Zimbabwe unique
  • 9. Great Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe, fourteenth century, Zimbabwe ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Prosperous trading center and royal complex Stone enclosure, probably a royal residence ● said to be the capital of the Queen of Sheba Constructed of granite slabs Oldest stone monument of the Sahara ● Built between 1100 and 1450 CE Walls 30 feet high Conical tower modeled on traditional shape of grain silos Control over food symbolized wealth and power Walls slope inward toward the top ● Provides support since no mortar was used Internal and external passageway are tightly bounded, narrow, and long
  • 10. Images of Great Zimbabwe Arial View Internal Passageway
  • 11. Sculpture ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Art is mostly portable - very few large sculptures Wood is the favored material ● Trees were honored and symbolically repaid for the branches taken from them Ivory was used as a sign of rank or prestige Metal shows strength and durability/restricted to royalty Stone is extremely rare Figures are usually frontal Symmetry is used sometimes No preliminary sketches Stiffness to all works Heads are disproportionately large - intelligence Sexual characteristics are enlarged Bodies are immature and small, fingers are rare Physical reality is avoided Important sculpture always created for a purpose Nok heads were major works of African sculpture
  • 12. Nok Head Nok Head, 500 BCE-200 CE, terra-cotta, Nigeria ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● May have been part of a full-sized figure Triangular eyes High arching eyebrows parallels sagging underside of eyes; voids of the irises draws attention Mouth indicates speech; nose barely modeled - widely spaced flaring nostrils Holes for airing out large ceramics during firing in eyes, nostrils, mouth Human head appears cylindrical Each of the large buns of the hairstyle is pierced with a hole that may have held ornamental feathers May represent ordinary people dressed for special occasions, or it may portray people of high status Some figures had necklaces, bracelets, etc. Used as ancestor portrayal, grave marker, charms
  • 13. Contemporary Art ● ● ● ● ● ● Pioneered in 1950s and 1960s Colonial period & Years after World War II ● African artists trained in the techniques of European art Most contemporary works have ties to traditional African folklore, belief systems, and imagery Use of new mediums such as oils and silk screening ● Break from the traditional wooden masks/sculptures, cloths, and body painting Contemporary artists borrow from traditional predecessors of the Western world ● Ex. Pablo Picasso Julie Mehretu Julie Mehretu RENEGADE DELIRIUM 2002
  • 14. Dispersion Julie Mehretu, Dispersion, 2002 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Ink and acrylic on canvas Collection of Nicolas and Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn New York Start seeing abstract works of African art Works show the transitional movement of people uprooted by choice or force to create new identities during a time of globalization and change ● change of African tradition Work has a conceptual complexity Suggests the difficulty of creating and negotiating a communal space in the contemporary world Also suggests a new kind of space - “cyberspace” ● results in room for artistic exploration Rift divides the painting in half - separation of two worlds
  • 15. Jackson Pollock Similarities ● ● ● ● ● ● Western equivalent to the work of Julie Mehretu Nonobjective Abstract Freedom of expression Swooping lines No defined figures Differences ● ● ● Pollock leaves no open spaces Does not paint over architectural plans No predetermined size of painting Jackson Pollock UNTITLED NO. 3 1948
  • 16. Textiles ● ● ● ● ● ● Made from cotton, animal fibers, grass fibers Woven cloth made on narrow and horizontal looms Motifs and patterns of cloth produced by a variety of techniques ● resist dyeing, tie dyeing, direct painting on the fabric Cloth indicates status, personal, and group identity Often worn to beautify, complement, and enhance the body Adire ● White cotton ● Painted with cassava starch and dropped in indigo dye ● Areas covered in starch remain white
  • 17. Kente Cloth Kente Cloth, Ashanti Culture, Ghana ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 20th century Silk Weaving introduced in Ghana during the seventeenth century Light, horizontal looms that produce long, narrow strips of cloth Originally reserved for state regalia Man wore a single piece, wrapped like a toga with no belt and the right shoulder bare Women wore two pieces - skirt and shawl
  • 18. Masks ● ● ● ● Masks carved in wood and metal Costumed dancers don masks and assume the power of the spirit it represents Role of the mask is never decorative, but functional and spiritual Works have powers that are symbolically greater than their visual representation Mende Mask of Sierra Leone (Nowo), twentieth century, wood ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Female ancestor spirits High forehead = wisdom Used for initiation rites to adulthood Symbolic of the chrysalis of a butterfly Shiny black surface Small horizontal features Elaborate hairstyle decorated with combs
  • 19. Glossary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Ciré perdue: the lost wax process; a bronze casting method in which a figure is modeled in clay and covered with wax and then recovered with clay; when fired in a kiln, the wax melts away, leaving a channel between the two layers of clay which can be used as a mold for liquid metal Fetish: an object believed to possess magical powers Finials: knoblike architectural decorations usually found at the top point of a spire, pinnacle, canopy, or gable; also found on furniture or the top of a staff Jijora: the idea of floating between the concrete and the abstract; not too realistic Kente: Ashanti woven textiles Nowo: black masks worn by the Mende women to initiate young girls into adulthood Scarification: scarring of the skin in patterns by cutting with a knife; when the cut heals, a raised pattern is created, which is painted Shaman: keeper of the power figure