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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Categories

Subcategories

African Aesthetic

Seek Within - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Introspection

L'élégance

Les danseurs

Answer Within

La jeune fille pressée

Portrait of Basquiat

Home

Self Reflection 1

Pour la paix

Le chien

Forever young

Confined Love

Beautiful Mindset

Our Situation Shouldn't Define Us

Love from Afar 3

Love from Afar 2

Style and Confidence - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Women

Contemplative Companions

Embracing Stillness

Me and You - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Love Africa Women

Love Between Friends - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Women

Where Love Resides(We are Sisters) - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Women

Focus

Inner peace

I Am Who I Choose To Be

Smile of Joy

Thoughtful John

The Couple II

Une scène d'adieux

Camo 2.0 4452

Sans titre

Lady in the Orange dress (All I have is Me)

Sans titre

My Best Friend VIII painting from Africa

Sanza Player

Untitled 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women with Large Afro Hair

Sans titre (femme fleur)

Sisterhood (The Love We Share)

We Grow When We Know Love

A bond between sisters (Soul Sister 2)

Prayer II

Triplets

Cowboy

Ololufe Mi (Love of My Life)

Sans titre (porteuse)

Femme feuille (Saison sèche)

Self Love 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Mixed Media, African Woman

Prized Possessions

Vache Watusi

Unique (African Allure) 4

Hausa and Fula cultures collide

The Catalyst for Blossoming

Where There Is Beauty, There Were Women

Untitled 1

Clouds

Canopy of Love

My Love IV

Masked Elegance in Contemporary Threads 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Africa

I am not alone 2

Sans titre

Star girl 1

What Black Love Looks Like 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Modern

Medicine in art 3

Medicine in art 2

Medicine in art

Ojulari 2