African Art By: Jennifer Sims

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 Art was originally made for the functional purpose.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.

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.

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

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.

Types of Mask

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 cloth’s colors and designs carry symbolic meaning. EX: history, values, or beliefs.

Kente Cloth Characteristics of Kente Cloth Geometric shapes Bright colors Patterns

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.

More Pottery

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.

More Baskets

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.

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.

Musical Instruments

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.

More Ceremonial Scenes

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.

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.

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