Africa, Burkina Faso, Lobi peoples, circa 1900
Sculpture. CC. Wikimedia Source
Artists in southern Africa had amazing talent and were inspired by the world around them. Most of the focus in the countries was on political importance because there was a ton of other foreign adaptations going on at this time. Mozambique resettlers brought their carving talent to the Natal Colony in order to make walking sticks for European settlers. Artistic models that were made often looked like didactic figures of males that were representing a change is social domination (Southern Africa Website). There were figures made of humans with Western clothing on that reflected how the new inhabitants disapproved of traditional African wear. Also during this time, there were paintings done on rocks and on other natural resources. New rules to southern African countries tried to hide and remove old traditions with art and outfits. The Western civilization was taking over. The timeline shows key events in African history that had major effects on the arts.
For the native African civilian, many art forms were used to express themselves. Art, music, and dance were great ways to share their ancestors stories and beliefs to the younger generations. Wood was a natural abundant resource that was used for carvings and other tools in everyday life (Gascoigne). Tribal carvings were done with great intentions to honor those before them. As we see the structures today, we may think they look distorted and not life like, and no one really know why. The art is intriguing and it makes the audience appreciate it more and more. Art is an ancient form of loyalty to the countries traditions. (Gascoigne)
“Southern Africa, 1800–1900 A.D.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=10®ion=afo (October 2004) Gascoigne, Bamber. “History of African Art” HistoryWorld. From 2001, ongoing. [http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa39] Picture from Wikimedia. Public domain. Header Picture: Flickr. Some rights reserved. Noncommercial use.