The continent of Africa boasts one of the world's richest artistic and cultural legacies, stemming back several thousand years and continuing up to the present day. Despite the fact that it is often ignored by Western art historians, Africa continues to contribute to the evolution of art.
Identification
The term "African art" refers to art produced throughout history up to the present day in the countries of Africa, as well as artists around the world who have their roots in Africa, including a number of artists living and working in the United States.
Misconceptions
There is a tendency to think of all African art in terms of traditional forms, such as wooden masks, decorative clothing and statues. In reality, numerous African artists have made a significant contribution to contemporary art.
Famous Ties
Famous living African artists include Marlene Dumas (South Africa), William Kentridge (South Africa), Kendell Geers (South Africa) and Henry Nkole Tayali (Zambia). In addition, numerous modern artists were influenced by traditional African art, including Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.
History
The first African art works predate recorded history. One prominent example is the rock art to be found in Niger, which dates back over 6,000 years ago.
Geography
Mali, Guinea, Gabon, Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania and Mozambique and Egypt have all made significant contributions to African art history.
