Discovering African Arts

By Melida Kopelman 2 years ago

Introduction

Whether you’re a casual art lover or a professional collector, the continent of Africa has much to offer. From ancient rock paintings and sculptures to modern paintings and sculptures, there’s something for everyone. Here are some tips on how to discover African arts:

What to expect

  • While there is a great deal of diversity within African art, certain characteristics are common to most forms. For example:
  • Artists generally use natural materials such as wood or clay to create their work.
  • The colors used tend toward bright primary colors, though black and white are also common colors in some pieces.
  • In addition to paintings and sculptures (which can be found in museums), you will also find jewelry made from beads or shells sold at markets throughout Africa.

Art galleries and museums

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting started, art galleries and museums are a great way to learn about African art. Here are some examples of places where you can find these treasures:

  • The National Museum in Ghana houses thousands of artifacts from Africa’s past, including masks and sculptures. It has been open since 1957.
  • The National Gallery of Zimbabwe opened in 1980 with the mission of collecting and preserving works by local artists.
  • The Nigerian National Portrait Gallery focuses on portraiture as well as landscapes and still lifes by Nigerian artists like Amina Muhammed (1941-2006), who painted this portrait called “Ladies With Fans” in 1975:

Markets and flea markets

Markets and flea markets are great places to find art. If you’re looking for an original piece of African art, these are excellent places to start your search. Markets are also a good place to find interesting items that may not be considered traditional African art (but still have a touch of it). You can meet local people who can tell you about their culture and what they like about living there, which will give you a better understanding of African culture overall.

Material culture and objects

In this section, we’ll discuss the different types of material culture and objects in Africa. The word “material” refers to things that can be touched, while “culture” refers to everything that makes up a society’s way of life. Objects are things created by humans out of natural materials like wood or stone; they can also be made from other man-made materials such as plastic or metal.

In many cases, artists use objects as their mediums for creating artworks–these pieces are often referred to as installations because they incorporate multiple items into one artwork (for example: an artist might use a pile of junked cars in his/her sculpture). This kind of work is especially common among artists who grew up during postcolonial times when Westerners were trying hard not only to find ways around colonial rule but also regain control over their own identities and cultures after centuries under foreign rule.

African art is rich, diverse and beautiful.

African art is rich, diverse and beautiful. It’s a reflection of the culture of the people, it’s a way of life, and it can be found in many forms. African art is not just about visual arts; it includes music, dance and theater as well!

Artists from across Africa have worked hard to create these beautiful pieces for us all to enjoy today.

Conclusion

African art is rich, diverse and beautiful. It has a long history of use in everyday life as well as worship, so there are many ways to experience it. If you want to learn more about African art or just see some beautiful pieces for yourself, check out these places!