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

John Kenny

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

€2,384

Photography, Assile, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

€5,502

Painting, Star girl 1, Joshua Salami

Joshua Salami

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

€1,950

Painting, Sans titre, Rafiy Okefolahan

Rafiy Okefolahan

Painting - 64 x 49 x 2.5 cm Painting - 25.2 x 19.3 x 1 inch

€1,800

Photography, Nuer reflections, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

€972

Photography, Malasso, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

€972

Painting, Self portrait, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

Painting - 30 x 20 x 1 cm Painting - 11.8 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€267

Painting, Sans titre, Rafiy Okefolahan

Rafiy Okefolahan

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

€5,500

Painting, Sans titre, Rafiy Okefolahan

Rafiy Okefolahan

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

€5,500

Photography, Hansuben, John Kenny

John Kenny

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

€2,629

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

€3,562

Painting, Ojulari 2, Emmanuel Ojebola

Emmanuel Ojebola

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

€1,781

Painting, Ojulari 3, Emmanuel Ojebola

Emmanuel Ojebola

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

€1,781

Painting, Ojulari 1, Emmanuel Ojebola

Emmanuel Ojebola

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

€1,781

Painting, Family, Angu Walters

Angu Walters

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

€980

Painting, Culture 5, Damola Ayegbayo

Damola Ayegbayo

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

€2,226

Painting, Royalty, Mayowa Esan

Mayowa Esan

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

€3,072

Painting, Perfect Look, Joshua Salami

Joshua Salami

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

€1,336 €1,002

Painting, Blue Sleeve 2, Joshua Salami

Joshua Salami

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

€1,648

Painting, Blue Sleeve, Joshua Salami

Joshua Salami

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

€1,648

Photography, Karo party person, Faie Davis

Faie Davis

Photography - 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€873

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

€1,336