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, Sans titre, Rafiy Okefolahan

Rafiy Okefolahan

Painting - 150 x 150 x 2 cm Painting - 59.1 x 59.1 x 0.8 inch

$6,594

Painting, Sans titre, Rafiy Okefolahan

Rafiy Okefolahan

Painting - 150 x 150 x 2 cm Painting - 59.1 x 59.1 x 0.8 inch

$6,594

Painting, Twin, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

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

$600

Photography, Camo 2.0 4452, Thandiwe Muriu

Thandiwe Muriu

Photography - 90 x 60 x 0.2 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch

$10,790

Photography, Hansuben, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

$3,018

Painting, Not alone, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

Painting - 110.5 x 100.3 x 2.5 cm Painting - 43.5 x 39.5 x 1 inch

$4,000

Painting, Family, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

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

$1,100

Painting, Ojulari 2, Emmanuel Ojebola

Emmanuel Ojebola

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

$2,000

Painting, Ojulari 3, Emmanuel Ojebola

Emmanuel Ojebola

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

$2,000

Painting, Ojulari 1, Emmanuel Ojebola

Emmanuel Ojebola

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

$2,000

Painting, Culture 5, Damola Ayegbayo

Damola Ayegbayo

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

$2,500

Painting, Royalty, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

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

$3,450

Photography, Mursi teenager, Faie Davis

Faie Davis

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

$1,500

Painting, Uncle Suuru, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

Painting - 110 x 100.1 x 2.5 cm Painting - 43.3 x 39.4 x 1 inch

$3,300

Painting, Glow 2, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

Painting - 110 x 100.1 x 2.5 cm Painting - 43.3 x 39.4 x 1 inch

$3,390

Painting, Bravery, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

Painting - 120.1 x 100.1 x 2.5 cm Painting - 47.3 x 39.4 x 1 inch

$4,000

Painting, Blessings I see, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

Painting - 135.9 x 121.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 53.5 x 48 x 1 inch

$3,200

Painting, Responsibilty, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

Painting - 182.9 x 152.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 72 x 60 x 1 inch

$5,000

Painting, Perfect Look, Joshua Salami

Joshua Salami

Painting - 61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Painting - 24 x 20 x 1 inch

$1,500

Painting, Blue Sleeve, Joshua Salami

Joshua Salami

Painting - 91.4 x 76.2 x 2.5 cm Painting - 36 x 30 x 1 inch

$1,850

Painting, Arewà, Michael Adetula

Michael Adetula

Painting - 61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm Painting - 24 x 20 x 1 inch

$750