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, The Drummer V, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting - 90 x 45 x 0.1 cm Painting - 35.4 x 17.7 x 0 inch

CHF 918

Painting, Prayer IV, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting - 69 x 50 x 0.1 cm Painting - 27.2 x 19.7 x 0 inch

CHF 918

Painting, Welcome, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting - 100 x 84 x 0.1 cm Painting - 39.4 x 33.1 x 0 inch

CHF 1,919

Painting, Couple, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting - 80 x 40 x 0.1 cm Painting - 31.5 x 15.7 x 0 inch

CHF 1,001

Painting, Dialogue V, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting - 100 x 80 x 0.1 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0 inch

CHF 1,835

Painting, My Best Friend, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting - 68 x 80 x 0.1 cm Painting - 26.8 x 31.5 x 0 inch

CHF 1,418

Painting, Mvet Player II, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting - 80 x 70 x 0.1 cm Painting - 31.5 x 27.6 x 0 inch

CHF 1,585

Photography, Korohan, John Kenny

John Kenny

Photography - 65 x 47 cm Photography - 25.6 x 18.5 inch

CHF 1,088

Painting, To whom, Oyeleye Feranmi

Oyeleye Feranmi

Painting - 60.4 x 45.5 x 3 cm Painting - 23.8 x 17.9 x 1.2 inch

CHF 1,464

Painting, Soft Love 2, Josue M Pierre

Josue M Pierre

Painting - 69.9 x 59.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 27.5 x 23.4 x 1 inch

CHF 1,460

Painting, Identity 3, Oluwafemi Akanmu

Oluwafemi Akanmu

Painting - 76.2 x 76.2 x 2.5 cm Painting - 30 x 30 x 1 inch

CHF 1,960

Photography, The pure Wodaabe, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 1,088

Photography, After the rains, John Kenny

John Kenny

Photography - 81.3 x 119.4 cm Photography - 32 x 47 inch

CHF 2,806

Painting, I'm Rare, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

Painting - 101.6 x 213.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 40 x 84 x 1 inch

CHF 5,005

Fine Art Drawings, Sans titre, Pierre Segoh

Pierre Segoh

Fine Art Drawings - 30 x 42 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.8 x 16.5 inch

CHF 781

Painting, Woven Beauty, Adebayo Taiwo

Adebayo Taiwo

Painting - 127 x 96.5 x 2.5 cm Painting - 50 x 38 x 1 inch

CHF 2,461

Painting, Self Admiral, Ishmael Armah

Ishmael Armah

Painting - 170 x 130 x 1 cm Painting - 66.9 x 51.2 x 0.4 inch

CHF 16,587

Photography, Tuareg Warrior, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 911

Photography, Young Hamer Woman, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 1,088

Photography, Assaita, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 911

Photography, Loiyangalani, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 911

Photography, Konbaki, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 911

Photography, Overseeing Merille, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 1,827

Photography, Kedeyne, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 1,827

Photography, Learnesi, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 1,432

Photography, Nyangatom boy, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

CHF 911