Modern African Art

The Inevitable by Ibrahim El Salahi

This painting is most likely a depiction of the time the artist Ibrahim El Salahi spent in prison. The nine sections in this painting represent the phases of his incarceration. Arms and fists depict an uprising against injustice.

Disagreement by Martin Kamuyu

In Disagreement, Martin Kamuyu tries to depict chaos in a common man’s mind when he seems to be overwhelmed by his own thoughts. Shades of white and red represent passion and purity.

Semekazi by Willie Bester

This is a painting trying to depict the condition of migrant workers in South Africa.The painting is a collage of images depicting various aspects of “Semekazi’s” life. At the center is Semekazi’s bed which has been shown in the form of a prison. In the foreground, there is a bible which has been connected to the bed by a chain. This symbolizes that African nations were run on Christian beliefs. To the left of the bed, there is an image of a family which symbolizes that he always aspired to lead a family life.

African Art & Pablo Picasso

Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”

Picasso visited the Musée d’Ethnographie du Trocadéro(known today as Musée de l’Homme) in 1907 where he was influenced by African and Tribal art several months before completing Demoiselles. Following the Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Picasso began painting in a style influenced by the two figures on the right side of the painting, which were inspired by African masks.  Picasso liked his paintings of massive over-sized nude women, and showed  interest in primitive (African) art.Picasso denied the influence of African masks on the Demoiselles claiming, “African art? Never heard of it!” and said instead that the primitivism in the painting was primarily influenced by Iberian sculpture.

Iberian sculpture that may have influenced Picasso.

“Bathers” by Andre Derain, also possibly influenced Picasso.

African Music

The balafon is a wooden keyed percussion instrument of West Africa. Sound is produced by striking the tuned keys with two padded sticks. Oral histories of the balafon date it back to at least the the 12th century. In many areas the balafon is played alone, while in others as part of an ensemble. Balafon is a compound of two words: Balan is the name of the instrument and fo is the verb to play. Balafon therefore means the act of playing the Bala. The balafon’s sounds are often compared to those of the xylophone, and the marimba.

African Masks

 

 

Mask 1 – Senufo

The Senufo are a group of farming people that stretch across various countries in West Africa including the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso and South Mali. Senufo artists have a high status in their society because their masks are believed to have the power to help communication between the living and their ancestors.

 

 

Mask 2 – KotaKota figures have very stylized heads and simplified lozenge shaped bodies. Their faces are oval with a convex surface to represent males or a concave surface to represent females. The Kota are several different groups of people who share a similar culture. The word ‘kota’ means to bind or link together. The Kota live in an area that stretches from East Gabon into the Congo. Kota masks are believed to protect the relics of an ancestor. The Kota save the relics of their ancestors and they believe that they can call on their power to assist them with their troubles in this life.

 

Mask 3 – Buale

The Baule are farmers who live on the eastern side of the Ivory Coast. They are part of the Akan people, which is one of the largest groups in West Africa. Buale masks are used in tribal dances during harvest festivals, and to honour important visitors.

 

Mask 4 – Kwele

The Kwele occupy an area of forest that stretches across the borders of Gabon, Cameroon and the Congo. The Kwele believe in witchcraft and blame all their personal and social problems on its influence. Kwele masks represent the antelope whose flesh was eaten at the end of the ‘beete’ ritual. The ‘beete’ is a ritual that involves purification of the spirits.

 

Mask 5 – Ligbi

The Ligbi people are a community originally from Ghana who now inhabit the Ivory Coast. Ligbi masks are used in the celebration of Islamic holidays. The dancers who wear these masks are noted for their elegantly synchronized movements as they dance in pairs.