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.

Search by Image

Save your search and find it in your favorites

14/16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Categories

Subcategories

African Aesthetic

All Heads Together IX

African Juju Society VIII

Play the Banjo II

My Love I

Knowledge is Power V

Music is Love III

Midnight Storyteller

The Drummer and the Flutist II

Sun Shine in My Mind

Kora Player III

Juju Dance Group

Portrait of George Stinney

Against All Odds 10 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Women

Whispers of the Soul 1

Eniyan (Human) 11

Sans titre

Joe legs

Sans titre

Sans titre

Bond

Joy Makes The Sun Rise

A Cycle of Joy

Camo 38

Camo 36

Camo 27

Camo 16

Identity 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Portrait, Mixed Media, African Woman Hair

Aguae

Union of Black Brothers - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Modern, Love Men

At Peace 2

Sun-Kissed - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Nature, Women, Landscape

Supermodels IV - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Puma, Modern

See No Evil Self-Made II - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Puma, Woman

Self-Made IV

Sitting Pretty

Never Say Die

Clarity Amidst Chaos

Sisi Eko

Men After Flowers

The stereotyped

The Happy Family XIX

Woman in Green

Civilisation bête : Digbeu. Le mortier traditionnel

Unique (African Allure) 2

Soul gazing

What about me

Onídìrí (Hair Dresser)

Innocence

Agony of a Betrayed Heart

Sisterhood of Grace (We Thrive)

Still Want You - 21st Century

More Than This 2

More Than This

Soft and Tidy

Shades of Love

While you get to sleep at night

Glamour girl

Abondance

Blooming

The Blues Singers III

Omar legs

Girl With A Pearl Earring

Soulmate

Lost in thought

Faces XXII

Three Women and Infants