- "African art describes the modern and historical paintings, sculptures, installations, and other visual culture from native or indigenous Africans and the African continent."
Study of African artistic expressions, styles, symbolism, and aesthetics, including traditional and modern forms of visual, performing and media arts.
Tribal societies: Understanding the structure and organization of tribal societies is essential to comprehending African art.
African religion: African art is heavily influenced by the continent's varied religious beliefs, and thus, exploring different religious traditions is an excellent place to start.
Traditional African art: Learning about the traditional forms of African art that date back hundreds of years is an excellent way to begin.
Different types of African Art: There are several different types of African art, including textiles, ceramics, sculptures, masks and more, each of which has its unique history and artistic traditions.
African art and colonialism: Colonialism's impact on African art is fascinating and often misunderstood, and exploring this topic is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of African art.
African art and gender: Gender affects how artwork is produced, viewed, and appreciated in Africa, making this an excellent topic for people interested in African art.
Contemporary African art: African art's modernization is a significant area of research and study in the field, with various artists around the world incorporating their unique cultural identities into contemporary pieces.
African diaspora: African art can also hold cultural importance for African diaspora individuals, and exploring this connection is crucial for understanding the African art world.
Performance art: Live performance art is an important aspect of African culture, and its role in African art is crucial to understanding the continent's art history.
Cultural exchange: Cultural exchange is an essential component to understanding African art as its traditions and themes cross Geographic boundaries.
Traditional African dance: Understanding traditional African dance is essential to appreciating African art fully.
African music: African music is another critical component of the continent's art, with many artists incorporating visual and auditory elements into their work.
African literature: African literature, with its blend of oral traditions, is another important component of African art.
African language: The different linguistic groups on the continent often influence the themes of African art.
African history: African history is a vast and diverse topic, and exploring it is essential to the study of African art.
Masks: Used in traditional African rituals and ceremonies, masks represent ancestor spirits and nature spirits. They are typically carved from wood or other materials and often feature elaborate designs and patterns.
Statues: Represent human figures or animals and are used for decoration or religious purposes.
Pottery and ceramics: Traditionally used for storage and cooking, African pottery features various designs and patterns.
Textiles: African textiles include hand-woven fabrics, printed fabrics, and embroidered fabrics, often featuring bright colors and intricate patterns.
Beadwork: Intricate designs made from beads, often used as jewelry or decoration.
Jewelry: Made from gold, silver, beads, and other materials, African jewelry typically features symbolic designs and patterns.
Carvings: Wooden carvings depicting animals, people, and other natural forms, often used for decoration or religious purposes.
Paintings: African paintings often depict daily life, landscapes, or abstract designs.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional art that can be made from a variety of materials, such as clay, bronze, or wood.
Basketry: Woven baskets made from natural materials, used for storage and decoration.
- "The definition may also include the art of the African diasporas, such as: African-American, Caribbean or art in South American societies inspired by African traditions."
- "Pottery, metalwork, sculpture, architecture, textile art and fiber art are important visual art forms across Africa and may be included in the study of African art."
- "The term 'African art' does not usually include the art of the North African areas along the Mediterranean coast."
- "There is a vast variety of styles, often varying within the same context of origin and depending on the use of the object, but wide regional trends are apparent." - "Masks are important elements in the art of many peoples, along with human figures, and are often highly stylized."
- "Sculpture is most common among 'groups of settled cultivators in the areas drained by the Niger and Congo rivers' in West Africa."
- "Direct images of deities are relatively infrequent, but masks in particular are or were often made for ritual ceremonies."
- "African art has had an important influence on European Modernist art, which was inspired by their interest in abstract depiction."
- "West African cultures developed bronze casting for reliefs, like the famous Benin Bronzes, to decorate palaces and for highly naturalistic royal heads from around the Bini town of Benin City, Edo State, as well as in terracotta or metal, from the 12th–14th centuries."
- "Akan gold weights are a form of small metal sculptures produced over the period 1400–1900; some apparently represent proverbs, contributing a narrative element rare in African sculpture; and royal regalia included impressive gold sculptured elements."
- "Many West African figures are used in religious rituals and are often coated with materials placed on them for ceremonial offerings."
- "In Central Africa, however, the main distinguishing characteristics include heart-shaped faces that are curved inward and display patterns of circles and dots."