African Art – The Rise of African Art

The fascinating world of African art – A look behind the scenes of the rapidly increasing interest in artworks from the “Black Continent”

Discover the fascinating world of African art . Immerse yourself in the profound cultural influences that have shaped this art form. Let's take a look behind the scenes of the rapidly growing attention given to this contemporary art world and explore the history of African art.

Why African art is fascinating

African art has a long and fascinating history, dating back to prehistoric times. The diversity of African art reflects the continent's rich cultural diversity and encompasses many different styles, techniques, and materials.

From the impressive sculptures of the Dogon in Mali to the colorful textiles of the Ashanti in Ghana, there is a wealth of artworks that reflect the creativity and skill of African artists.

African art is not only beautiful to look at, but also an important expression of cultural identity and history. By viewing African art, we can not only gain insight into the past, but also develop a better understanding of the present.

What is contemporary African art? About African Art and Tribal Art

The concept of contemporary African art has always been difficult to define. And for good reason: the continent spans 54 countries, each with its own unique culture, traditions, and social structures.

Furthermore, the enormous diaspora colonialism further complicates this definition. Consequently, it is impossible to have a precise idea of ​​what African contemporary art is and what it looks like. There are some key factors we can consider to understand what has made the African art scene what it is today.

From a European perspective, most artworks from the African continent are categorized as "anonymous folk art ." Although they are usually commissioned to mark specific occasions, it is primarily farmers and blacksmiths in rural societies who carve as a secondary occupation.

In many ethnic groups, the creation of magical objects is a male domain. The artist's craft requires years of apprenticeship and specialization, and is particularly evident in kingdoms. For example, bronze casters and ivory carvers in Benin into professional groups and guilds. Museum collections show that individual kingdoms specialized in specific art forms and that there was also exchange between different ethnic groups.

Négritude and Postcolonialism – Origins of Contemporary African Art

Négritude

The Négritude movement , led by the writers Aimé Césaire , Léon Damas and Léopold Sédar Senghor , was a literary movement that played a significant role in the development of modern African art as well as contemporary African art (see Artsper ) .

Founded in 1937 by a group of African art students in Paris, a city with a tolerant and diverse art scene, the movement spread worldwide. Its aim was to critique colonialism and promote appreciation for Black and African culture .

Léopold Sédar Senghor emphasized that for African art to evolve, it must reflect contemporary modernity while simultaneously celebrating traditional culture. The movement's visual art focuses on these principles and draws inspiration from other modernist movements such as the Harlem Renaissance and Surrealism .

Aubrey Williams , one of the movement's most important visual artists, frequently used abstraction as a means of avoiding a narrow, Western-centric view of African art. Furthermore, he often criticized colonial regimes in his works, as in his painting "Death and the Conquistador ," which addresses the cruelty of Spanish colonization of the Americas.

Postcolonialism

The decolonization of South Africa was a long and arduous process that spanned five decades. The country finally gained its independence from a white-dominated government in 1994. During this period of fundamental change, African artists began to explore new artistic styles and engage with new themes. This followed the era of Negritude and colonial critique, and marked a shift away from abstraction and towards conceptual art .

Found object art , a remarkable art form, continues to impress with its creativity and sustainability. Artists create artworks using found and recycled materials, and they enjoy great popularity across the continent.

One of the leading figures in this movement is the respected anti-war activist and sculptor Gonçalo Mabunda from Mozambique. His works consist of weapon parts collected Christian Association of Mozambique

With his art, Mabunda transforms death into new life, thus setting a powerful example for peace and reconstruction.

Characteristics and features

African art is characterized by its close connection to religious and social conditions. The question arises whether this distinguishes it from art from Europe, Asia, or the Americas.

Traditional African art usually had a cultural and functional significance, representing various ethnic groups and their worldviews. However, the most important treasures of African collections are also documents of artistic creation.

Until the 1980s, all collections were organized according to geographical and ethnic categories, which provided an overview of the regional and historical differences in traditional African art.

This highlighted differences between styles. At the same time, artworks are sources for cultural history and manifestations of cultural knowledge. Only a comparison of many works from a single ethnic group reveals the creative qualities and abilities of individual artists within the framework of the aesthetic criteria of the respective culture (see ArtInWords ).

History of African Art: From its Beginnings to the Present Day

Beginnings and archaic manifestations

It is undeniable that the earliest origins of humankind lie in Africa. Furthermore, this continent has also made a crucial contribution to the development of figurative art. African art, whose origins reach back to prehistoric times, has significantly shaped world culture with its characteristic stylistic features.

The history of African art is a fascinating journey through the centuries.

The origins of African art lie in the cave paintings , which are up to 30,000 years old. These early artworks depicted animals and humans and likely served religious or ritual purposes.

In the history of African art, rock art the oldest form of creative expression. It consists of paintings or engravings created on rock faces, usually depicting stylized hunting scenes. The oldest scientifically dated examples of this type come from approximately 24,000 to 27,000 years ago.

In the realm of sculpture, the most archaic manifestations of this artistic expression can be dated to around 500 BC. The first terracotta heads produced in Nigeria. Over time, this tradition was enriched by the creation of more realistic sculptures in bronze and brass.

These sculptures depicted not only heads, but also masks and small full figures. Wooden sculptures created in the 17th century, which continue to depict the aforementioned subjects, remain particularly popular to this day.

It is important to emphasize that the above data may be subject to future changes. This is because African art was initially not recognized as an aesthetic symbol of a community's achievement and, consequently, was not sufficiently studied, protected, and valued (see Artmajeur ).

Over time, African art evolved and was influenced by various cultures, including the Kingdom of Benin, the Mali Empire, and the Kingdom of Kongo. Each of these cultures brought its own aesthetics and techniques to the art, resulting in a great diversity of styles and forms.

Today, African art is known and appreciated all over the world, from sculptures and masks to paintings and textiles.

African Art in Transition – The 20th Century

Since independence, the African continent has experienced a spirit of optimism , accompanied by an artistic modernism in the years between the 1930s and 1980s. During this period, new artistic forms of expression emerged that reflected this transformation.

Modern and contemporary African art gained international attention, documenta11 and the Venice Biennale

However, a comprehensive examination of African modernity as postcolonial modernity, which includes historical, personal and aesthetic encounters with Europe, is still pending.

However, given the increasing presence of modern and contemporary African art in Germany, it is essential to examine African modernism in German collections in detail. This should contribute to a better understanding of the present and future of art from both African and Western perspectives.

For this reason, the educational institutions Iwalewahaus , the University of Bayreuth , the Museum of World Cultures in Frankfurt , and the Makerere Art Gallery/Institute of Heritage Conservation and Restoration in Kampala joined forces for a research project (the project lasted from 2015 to 2018, see Iwalewahaus ). The aim was to jointly research African modernism through the analysis of its art collections within a trans- and interdisciplinary framework.

Penetration of modernity and inspiration for Picasso & Co.

As the Neue Zürcher Zeitung reported in an article in its arts section, tribal art offered pioneers of modern art groundbreaking inspiration far beyond mere formal impulses. This led to nothing less than a fundamental shift in intellectual horizons, resulting from the engagement with so-called primitive art .

The article reports on June 1907, when the famous Cubist Pablo Picasso the Africa Gallery of the Musée d'Ethnographie in the Trocadéro in Paris. The Catalan artist recognized in the African sculptures he encountered there not simply as fine works of art, but as magical objects, media, means of liberation from danger and fear.

Picasso 's famous painting " Les Demoiselles d'Avignon ," completed immediately after his visit to the Trocadéro, depicts two of the five female figures whose faces eerily resemble African masks. Interestingly, none of the masks previously suggested by art historians as possible models were seen in Paris before the painting's completion. Consequently, the menacing features of these two "demoiselles" not mere quotations, but rather demonstrate Picasso's profound understanding of the artistic principles of African art.

When Picasso began to take an interest in tribal art, a general fascination with it was palpable. Masks and figures from the colonies, which had previously been exhibited merely as exotic curiosities or ethnographic study material in European ethnographic museums, were suddenly recognized as works of art by modern artists, dealers, and collectors.

It is often claimed that Picasso's encounter with the simplified forms of African sculpture made him the founder of Cubism. However, it was Georges Braque who painted the first Cubist landscapes , and Cubism primarily has its roots in the painting of Cézanne.

Apart from "Les Demoiselles," there are numerous other examples of modern artists directly borrowing from African sculpture. One such example is Fernand Léger , who drew inspiration for the costumes and stage designs of his ballet "La création du monde" (1923) from illustrations in the two then-leading books on African sculpture.

Sculptors such as Constantin Brancusi , Alberto Giacometti , and Henry Moore directly benefited from the formal repertoire of African artists. Giacometti's famous "Spoon Woman" from 1926, for example, is reminiscent of anthropomorphic grain scoops from the Ivory Coast.

Shifting the boundaries of intellectual horizons

Several factors fundamentally connect the tribal art of Africa and Oceania with modern art.

Firstly, it is the inventiveness and expressiveness that are clearly evident in both art forms.

On the other hand, both modern art and tribal art are characterized by an ingenious simplification of forms .

Another common denominator is the conceptual approach and the prominent role that elementary pictorial symbols play in both tribal art and the European avant-garde.

But most significant was the fundamental shift in intellectual horizons that resulted from the engagement with the cultures of the natives and their then so-called primitive art.

Increasing recognition for art objects from the African continent

During the 20th century, objects from southern Sahara gained increasing recognition as works of art. While ethnological research primarily viewed these works as objects of everyday life and cultural history, a parallel understanding of the art history of Africa .

In the early 20th century, African art exhibited a hybrid character that particularly fascinated artists in Paris and Dresden. The shift in meaning from cult object to artwork became especially evident in exhibition practices from the 1970s and 1980s onward.

Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller 's collection from the Museum of Primitive Art to the Metropolitan Museum in 1974. More recently, the presentation of art by theme and content has also become established in order to offer viewers new insights into African art traditions.

the term "tribal art" has been replaced by the naming of workshops and schools, as well as by the naming of artists. In most cases, however, the creators remained anonymous.

Global exchange and networking since the 1960s

The transnational interconnections that have developed between Africa and Europe are a phenomenon that began in the 1960s – including in the art world.

Many African states gained their independence during this period. In the two decades following World War II, not only was the “Nouvelle École de Paris” , but also one in Senegal.

This art school and movement promoted contemporary African perspectives and criticized the ideological systems and exclusionary conceptions of time held by the colonial West.

curator Angela Stercken describes how decisive impulses for the German art scene came from Okwui Enwezor's exhibition “Short Century” (2001) and documenta11 in 2002, whose artistic director was the Nigerian curator (see “Deutsche Welle shows contemporary African art” by Christine Lehnen).

Artistic exchange between Africa and Europe is based on a long tradition dating back to the 1960s. , art festivals in Lagos and Algiers offered the opportunity to exhibit works by contemporary African and diaspora artists alongside those from Europe. This was previously uncommon.

In the 1960s, Deutsche Welle established a small collection of contemporary art, primarily comprising works from Germany and Europe. Since 2016, this collection has been expanded to include works by 20 African artists. The aim, as curator Stercken explained during the preview opening on June 20, 2022, in Bonn, was to critically reflect on a previously Eurocentric collection and to open it up to a shared, global future through contemporary African perspectives.

In the late 20th century, several further exhibitions of African art in the West contributed significantly to making this art form known to the wider public. A particularly important exhibition took place in 1989 at the renowned Centre Pompidou .

The exhibition, titled “Magiciens de la terre,” was dedicated to the diverse forms of art from countries outside the Western cultural sphere. This exhibition marked the beginning of numerous other important events aimed at promoting and celebrating contemporary African art and its creators.

exhibition “Seven Stories about Modern Art in Africa”, by African curators at the Whitechapel Gallery . It presented works by 60 artists and thus offered a fascinating overview of modern African art history ( Hardback exhibition catalogue ).

African artists are optimistic about the future

During a panel discussion at the “Global Media Forum 2022”, African creatives shared their views on contemporary African art in the world. Angèle Etoundi Essamba , a photographer from Cameroon who trained in France and lives in Amsterdam, is optimistic about the state of contemporary African art.

It is true that a very vibrant art scene has existed in Africa for over 20 years.”

She said, citing the increasing presence of African positions at biennials as an example.

It is of great importance that the artists' works travel to support this currently bubbling spring of contemporary African art.”

Artists with African roots are trending – the art market for African art is booming

Contemporary artists with African roots are increasingly in demand

For about a decade, artists with African roots have enriched the contemporary art scene and attracted considerable interest in the West. The international art center of Paris, in particular, celebrates exoticism and dark skin in the art world.

A prime example of this is the meteoric rise of the dark-skinned artist Julien Creuzet , who will represent France at the Venice Biennale in 2024. The 36-year-old Frenchman, with family roots on the Caribbean island of Martinique, is a professor at the Paris Academy of Fine Arts.

At the same time, online bidders at Christie’s in Paris on December 8th sent a strong price signal by achieving the two highest bids at the contemporary art auction for two paintings by the Ivory Coast-born painter Aboudia ): 151,200 and 138,600 euros – with estimates that were “only” 30,000 euros.

The trend towards African artists stems from solid gallery work and numerous exhibitions, beginning with the “Magicians of the Earth” in Paris in 1989. The Fondation Cartier also pioneered African aesthetics in the 1990s, often under the initiating curatorship of the profound Africa expert André Magnin .

Magnin has built the world's largest African collection for Simca heir Jean Pigozzi and announced last summer that he is making a huge donation to the city of Cannes for the planned Pigozzi Museum ( Handelsblatt reported).

Increased appreciation of the continent

As the artistic climate has evolved, numerous new galleries have opened across the African continent to meet the growing demand for contemporary African art. A striking example is the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art , which opened in 2017 and is considered the world's largest museum of contemporary African art.

Nike Art Foundation and the Fondation H joined the ranks of new art centers. While the Nike Art Foundation opened its gallery in Abuja, Nigeria in May 2023, the Fondation H opened its doors in Madagascar in April 2023. The abundance of new galleries and art centers on the African continent, in particular, is a clear indication of the growing importance and recognition of African art.

Global recognition is growing

The growing importance of African art on the world stage is reflected in the development of the art scene in Africa. In the Western Hemisphere, there are now several art exhibitions dedicated to African art. The 1-54 Art Fair , launched in London in 2013, now holds three fairs annually in London, New York, and Marrakech, as well as a pop-up fair in Paris.

When the Venice Biennale selected an African curator, Okwui Enwezor ensured that his exhibition included more African artists than ever before. The aim was to challenge the traditional Eurocentric narrative and to acknowledge the significant role that African art plays in shaping the global art landscape.

Relativization and classification in numbers

Although the African art market is on the rise, it still represents a relatively small part compared to other art markets worldwide.

While dealers in the American art market recorded a growth of 6% between 2021 and 2023 compared to the previous year, the African art market only managed an increase of 1% (see Artsper ).

Despite some challenges, this market also presents opportunities. To further support emerging artists and promote the growth and integration of the African art market into the global art scene, further investment in infrastructure, art education, and entrepreneurship is needed.

The market for traditional African art is booming

In the film, we are invited on a fascinating journey through museums and galleries of our neighboring continent to discover the impressive everyday and cultural objects as well as the mysterious fetishes and masks of African art.

We encounter these artistic objects from Africa in elegant gallery display cases, stored in sturdy steel cabinets in ethnographic museums, and even in the cluttered apartments of passionate collectors. Unfortunately, some collectors are tempted by the art market to turn their passion into a speculative investment.

It is astonishing how traditional African art is gaining popularity as an investment. Auctions are fetching record prices, and individual works are being traded for millions. The film traces the origins of these artworks, from the impoverished carvers in West Africa to the prestigious gallery fairs in Brussels and Paris, where art market prices are determined. At the same time, voices are being raised by African historical figures who accuse museum directors of "looted art.".

Overall, this film is a fascinating journey through the world of African art, bringing us closer not only to its beauty, but also to the commercialization and problems of this art form.

The problem with “looted art”

The brutal plundering of cultural artifacts in Africa by colonial powers is a topic that is hotly debated not only in Europe but also in Africa itself. The presentation of art and cultural objects in European museums without considering their often bloody provenance and without involving the descendants of the original owners is a real problem.

The question of restitution of such objects is gaining increasing importance in Germany due to the Humboldt Forum . An estimated 1.5 million works of art from around the world are stored in the depots of Germany's ethnological museums, including 60,000 objects from Africa. The question arises as to how many of these were acquired through the use of force and what consequences should be drawn from this.

In this film by Deutsche Welle Live TV, the authors examine the perspectives of German and African participants using the examples of the Benin Bronzes from Nigeria , an ornate ship's prow from Cameroon, and the so-called Witbooi Bible from Namibia.

Through their research and discussions, the DW team aimed to discover how people in the African countries from which the objects originate feel about them, and what expectations scientists, museum directors, artists, and curators have. The project also explores the emotions that can surface when confronting an often painful past.

The meaning of African art: Cultural and spiritual aspects

African art has a long history and is of great importance to many African communities. It serves not only as a cultural expression but also as a spiritual practice .

African artworks such as masks, sculptures and textiles are often used in ritual ceremonies to strengthen the connection between people and their ancestors or to seek protection from evil spirits.

The forms, colors , and symbols of these artworks often have a deeper meaning and can only be understood by the initiated. African art is thus an important part of Africa's cultural heritage and shows us how closely intertwined art, culture, and spirituality can be.

Materials and techniques in African art: From wood to metal

African art employs a wide variety of materials and techniques to create stunning works of art.

One of the most common techniques is the carving of wooden sculptures , which are often decorated with complex patterns and symbols. Metal is also frequently used in African art, especially for jewelry or weapons.

Other materials such as clay, leather , and fabrics are also used to create artistic figures, masks, and textiles. The choice of material often depends on the purpose of the artwork, but also on availability and tradition in the respective region.

It is fascinating to see how these different materials and techniques are used in African art to create unique works that have deep meaning and history.

Famous artists and their works

The world of African art boasts a multitude of talented artists whose works impress. Some of them have achieved international renown and are considered important representatives of their art form.

These include, for example, El Anatsui from Ghana, whose monumental tapestries made from recycled material have garnered worldwide attention, or William Kentridge from South Africa, whose drawings and animated films address political themes.

But older artists like Ben Enwonwu from Nigeria, who in the 1950s was the first African artist to achieve international recognition, remain important to this day. His sculpture “Tutu” is considered one of the most famous works of art in Africa and was recently auctioned for a record price of over one million pounds.

The works of these and other African artists showcase the diversity and beauty of the African art scene and deserve to be discovered.

A selection of African art and art inspired by African culture and nature from our online gallery:

African art in the context of the global art scene

How the perception of African art has changed in recent years

In recent years, the perception of African art in the global art scene has changed dramatically. While it was often previously viewed as “exotic” or “primitive” , it is now increasingly recognized as a distinct and important part of the art world.

This is also reflected in the prices achieved auctions museums and galleries are dedicating themselves to the topic and exhibiting African artists. These developments also strengthen awareness of the cultural diversity of the African continent and help to dismantle potential stereotypes.

Nevertheless, much remains to be done to achieve an equal presence of African art in the global art scene.

Challenges in preserving and disseminating African art

How can we preserve our cultural treasures?

Preserving and disseminating African art presents a particular challenge. Many works of art have been created over centuries and possess a deeply rooted cultural significance.

Preserving these treasures requires careful care and maintenance. However, disseminating these works of art is also of great importance in preserving Africa's cultural heritage and making it accessible to a wider audience.

The challenge lies in striking a balance between preserving originality and communicating cultural heritage. Modern technologies such as digital archives a crucial role in making artworks accessible to future generations.

However, a sensitive approach to avoid distorting or disregarding the cultural significance of the artworks. The preservation and dissemination of African art therefore requires a high degree of responsibility and sensitivity towards the cultural importance of these treasures.

Why it's worthwhile to explore the fascinating world of African art

In conclusion, it is definitely worthwhile to explore the fascinating world of African art. The diversity and uniqueness of this art form is impressive and offers a rich source of inspiration and insight.

Studying African art allows us not only to broaden our cultural education but also to gain a deeper understanding of the continent's history and culture. Furthermore, engaging with African art can help us improve our own artistic skills and gain new perspectives on the world.

Whether as a collector, artist or simply as an interested person – engaging with African art is an enriching experience that can be recommended to everyone.