Primitive Art Primitive: The Problematic Word

The term "primitive" is criticized as being Eurocentric and biased ‘Noble Savage’ concept An umbrella term used to describe visual arts and material culture of Indigenous people from Colonies Also known as Ethnographic art, have historically been collected by Western anthropologists, private collectors, and museums, particularly in ethnographic and natural history museum.

Overlap with Tribal Art Tribal art is often ceremonial or religious in nature Typically originating in rural areas, tribal art refers to the subject and craftsmanship of artefacts from tribal cultures. Notion of modern day artist does not exist Usually connected with some religious or cultural ritual

In museum collections, tribal art has three primary categories. African art, especially arts of Sub-Saharan Africa Art of the Americas Oceanic art, originating mainly from Australia, Melanesia, New Zealand, and Polynesia)

African Art African art generally used as a blanket term the continent is full of people, societies, and civilizations, each with a unique visual special culture

The origins of African art lie long before recorded history. African rock art in the Sahara in Niger preserves year-old carvings.66 The earliest known sculptures are from the Nok culture of Nigeria, made around 500 BC. Along with sub-Saharan Africa, the cultural arts of the western tribes, ancient Egyptian paintings and artifacts, and indigenous southern crafts also contributed greatly to African art. Often depicting the abundance of surrounding nature, the art was often abstract interpretations of animals, plant life, or natural designs and shapes.

Igbo Ukwu bronze ceremonial vessel made around the 9th century AD... British Museum

Yoruba bronze head from Nigeria 12 century CE

kings head in British Museum

Emphasis on the human figure: The human figure has always been the primary subject matter for most African art Visual abstraction: African artworks tend to favor visual abstraction over naturalistic representation. This is because many African artworks generalize stylistic norms

Emphasis on sculpture: African artists tend to favor three-dimensional artworks over two- dimensional works. Even many African paintings or cloth works were meant to be experienced three-dimensionally. House paintings are often seen as a continuous design wrapped around a house, forcing the viewer to walk around the work to experience it fully; while decorated cloths are worn as decorative or ceremonial garments, transforming the wearer into a living sculpture.