African Aesthetic

How can you define the African aesthetic? A continent made up of 54 countries — each with their own culture, their own traditions and their own social structures – no doubt produces stylistically varied African artists. 

The literary movement Négritude was led by the writers Aimé Césaire, Léon Damas and Léopold Sédar Senghor and played a huge part in the development of modern African art. Founded in 1937 by a group of African student artists in Paris, a city with a tolerant and diverse art scene, the movement grew globally. The movement aimed to critique colonialism and cultivate an appreciation for Black and African culture, the effects of which no doubt is imperative to the contemporary African art scene.

According to Léopold Sédar Senghor, in order for African art to progress it had to reflect the modernity of the present by responding to contemporary social issues and artistic styles, while celebrating traditional culture. By also drawing from other Modernist movements such as the Harlem Renaissance and Surrealism, the African aesthetic of visual art focuses on these principles and is today conveyed by the likes of Angu Walters who focuses on everyday life in African villages. Whilst Faie Davis seeks to use her lens to capture an appreciation for those who retain tradition.

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Painting, Gele 2, Oluwafemi Afolabi

Gele 2

Oluwafemi Afolabi

Painting - 91.4 x 91.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 36 x 36 x 1 inch

$2,600

Photography, Himba Beauty, Faie Davis

Himba Beauty

Faie Davis

Photography - 85.8 x 76.8 x 0.25 cm Photography - 33.8 x 30.2 x 0.1 inch

$1,500

Painting, Into myself, Kofi Agorsor

Into myself

Kofi Agorsor

Painting - 101.6 x 101.6 x 10.2 cm Painting - 40 x 40 x 4 inch

$6,500

Painting, Au voleur, Ange Kumbi

Au voleur

Ange Kumbi

Painting - 57 x 72 x 1 cm Painting - 22.4 x 28.3 x 0.4 inch

$2,146

Photography, Farthest East, John Kenny

Farthest East

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,122

Photography, The age of joy, John Kenny

The age of joy

John Kenny

Photography - 90 x 120 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

$3,528 $2,998

Painting, Arike, Alabi Azeez

Arike

Alabi Azeez

Painting - 121.9 x 121.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 48 x 48 x 1 inch

$3,250

Photography, Nawoi, John Kenny

Nawoi

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,340

Photography, Lekutano, John Kenny

Lekutano

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,340

Photography, Himba Child II, John Kenny

Himba Child II

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,122

Photography, Litiriyan, John Kenny

Litiriyan

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$2,187

Photography, Glimpses, John Kenny

Glimpses

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,122 $1,010

Photography, The San Man, John Kenny

The San Man

John Kenny

Photography - 90 x 60 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,752 $2,340

Photography, Lopayok, John Kenny

Lopayok

John Kenny

Photography - 90 x 60 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,251

Photography, Pitali, John Kenny

Pitali

John Kenny

Photography - 90 x 60 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,251 $2,026

Photography, Naiio, John Kenny

Naiio

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,122

Photography, Ikulme, John Kenny

Ikulme

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,122 $1,010

Photography, The Fairground, John Kenny

The Fairground

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,122 $1,010

Photography, Amuria, John Kenny

Amuria

John Kenny

Photography - 90 x 60 x 2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,251

Photography, Otjitando, John Kenny

Otjitando

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,340

Photography, Lakuru, John Kenny

Lakuru

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,340

Photography, Nambuele, John Kenny

Nambuele

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,340

Photography, Nganamya, John Kenny

Nganamya

John Kenny

Photography - 67 x 45 x 2 cm Photography - 26.4 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,122 $1,010