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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Photography, Dansho, John Kenny

Dansho

John Kenny

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

€2,416

Painting, Twin, Angu Walters

Twin

Angu Walters

Painting - 60 x 39 x 0.1 cm Painting - 23.6 x 15.4 x 0 inch

€556

Painting, City Boy, Emmanuel Ojebola

City Boy

Emmanuel Ojebola

Painting - 121.9 x 91.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 48 x 36 x 1 inch

€3,710

Photography, Beauty Queen, Thandiwe Muriu

Beauty Queen

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

€10,000

Photography, Unity, Thandiwe Muriu

Unity

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 120 x 120 x 0.2 cm Photography - 47.2 x 47.2 x 0.1 inch

€15,000

Photography, Camo 48, Thandiwe Muriu

Camo 48

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

€9,000

Painting, Untitled, Leonard Ngure

Untitled

Leonard Ngure

Painting - 57 x 96 x 2 cm Painting - 22.4 x 37.8 x 0.8 inch

€2,100

Photography, Assile, John Kenny

Assile

John Kenny

Photography - 135 x 90 x 2 cm Photography - 53.1 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

€5,575

Painting, Family, Angu Walters

Family

Angu Walters

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

€1,020

Painting, Culture 5, Damola Ayegbayo

Culture 5

Damola Ayegbayo

Painting - 121.9 x 91.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 48 x 36 x 1 inch

€2,319

Photography, Malasso, John Kenny

Malasso

John Kenny

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

€985

Photography, Camo 50, Thandiwe Muriu

Camo 50

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 150 x 100 x 1 cm Photography - 59.1 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch

€15,000

Photography, Camo 34, Thandiwe Muriu

Camo 34

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 120 x 120 cm Photography - 47.2 x 47.2 inch

€17,000

Photography, Camo 43, Thandiwe Muriu

Camo 43

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

€10,000

Photography, Camo 41, Thandiwe Muriu

Camo 41

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 150 x 100 cm Photography - 59.1 x 39.4 inch

€15,000

Photography, Mursi teenager, Faie Davis

Mursi teenager

Faie Davis

Photography - 89.4 x 63 x 0.25 cm Photography - 35.2 x 24.8 x 0.1 inch

€1,391

Painting, Royalty, Mayowa Esan

Royalty

Mayowa Esan

Painting - 119.9 x 110 x 2.5 cm Painting - 47.2 x 43.3 x 1 inch

€3,200

Photography, Camo 45 II, Thandiwe Muriu

Camo 45 II

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch

€9,000

Photography, Welcome Home, Thandiwe Muriu

Welcome Home

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 150 x 100 x 0.1 cm Photography - 59.1 x 39.4 x 0 inch

€17,000