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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African Aesthetic

Black Pride 6 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Beautiful Women

Gifted Treasure - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Beauty Women

State of Mind 14

Eniyan (Human) 8

Unconditional Love 2

State of Mind 11

Soulmate 6

Strength in Diversity 4

Strength in Diversity 6

Purpose of Existence 14

Eniyan (Human) 12

Masked Elegance in Contemporary Threads 2

Masked Elegance in Contemporary Threads 1

Nostalgia

Playboy

Boubou - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Plants, Women, Africa

Goddess Feels - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Plants, Women

Simple Times - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Plants, Women

Angelic

Now That We Are Here

In The Stillness

Tribute to Kúlódò

Teenage fantasy - Self-made V

What my eyes have seen

You and Me 2

City Boy

Prayerful Embrace - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women, Child, Fabric

Inner Nature 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Women on African Fabric

Self Esteem - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, African Fabric, Floral

Solitude Mood - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Artist, Modern

All in My Head

Hansuben

La peau d'une orange séchée paraissant être à la fois un pistolet et une gueule de chien

African Dancers IV

Beautiful buttercup - Self-Made VIII

The Dancers painting from Africa

State of Mind - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Women

Unbroken

Karma

Woman with deep thought (Feminine epidemic series) II

Yellow card

Red card

Just soar, Don't hesitate

I am not alone 1

Camo 2.0 4415

Camo 45 II

Madam President

Welcome Home

Treasures of Delight

Loyalty's Foundation

One heart, Many Languages

Victorious Dreams

Imperfect Perfection

Her Everlasting Legacy

Our Collective Beauty

I'm Rare

Camo 50

Camo 34

Camo 43

Camo 41

Black Heritage

Soul Sister 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Women, Love, Africa, Face

What About Me 4

Identity 3

Self Love 4 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Mixed Media, African Woman

Identity 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Mixed Media, African Woman Hair