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African Art
by Duncan Clarke
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Gramercy (1995-07-30)
ISBN: 0517120801
EAN: 9780517120804
Dewy Decimal #: 709.6
Hardcover: 110 pages
Release Date: 1995-07-30
SKU: FL0236
Condition: Acceptable
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
More than eighty color plates survey the full range of African creativity, from sophisticated bronze sculptures and exaborate shell and bead headdresses, to carved wooden thrones and richly colored textiles.
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Customer Reviews
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A marvelous small collection in a book
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-06-24
42 out of 77 customers found this reveiw helpful
Traditional African art has an immediacy to it that cannot be denied. It is vibrant and powerful and sometimes disturbing. On the other hand, the textiles are geometric and require highly skilled artisans. Then there is modern African art, both a precursor and an influence of early European modern artists.
The Western world first became aware of African art after exploration of the continent began. As more and more groups came in, they discovered the unique and, to their eyes, bizarre nature of the art, collected artwork by the piles and took the pieces home. Africans began making what they thought Europeans wanted. By the beginning of the 20th century, Picasso discovered the masks and modern art was born. You can see the obvious influence in the beginning of his cubist period in "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon." You can see Picasso's influence in "Mother Africa." (To view some of this art, please click on the title of the book and find the image selection on the left side of the page.)
Because African art often was created for utilitarian purposes, its artists remain anonymous. This was not rectified until the middle of the 20th century when African art collecting became serious.
The effects of syncretism are revealed in the textiles. After the women had silk thread from Europe, the geometry of the rugs became dazzling in precision and color.
For a number of years African artists, academically trained, have had to determine the direction of their art. Some believe they should have the freedom of choice to create with no obligation to their roots. Others believe they must reflect Mother Africa and also show creative innovation. The viewer will see both types in this book.
The book is arranged by regions. Duncan Clarke states that this forced arrangement is for ease in locating works of art. The art itself does not necessarily reflect the region. For example, if you talk about impressionistic painting, which artist do you mean because each interpreted the "impression" differently? Same with regional African art.
I invite you to view the six pieces I photographed from the book to include in this review. If you have a chance, visit the African section of an art museum the next time you go. If it is a good museum, the African art is always spectacular.
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