What Is African Art? In the most basic sense, African art is a type of art that originated and is influenced by the number of diverse cultures in Africa.Just as many historians believe that Africa was the birthplace of all mankind, some art experts believe that African art was the beginning of all art. Whether this is true or not, like most other types of art, African art has roots in ancient times.
“It was just a passion. With my curator Andre Magnin, 99.9% of what we bought was from the artists directly—there was nothing organized.” he says, “I’m completely dyslexic so I never read any theory about art, especially what I collect. With contemporary African art, there are no books whatsoever. There might be three people in the world who know a bit more than me, so it’s completely instinctive.” - Jean Pigozzi
CAPE TOWN — The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, which opened here last month in a reincarnated grain silo and is drawing around 3,000 visitors a day, appears set to become the dominant arts institution on the continent.
Most anyone who has any critique of African art has heard the story of a struggling African artist. Whether it be finding the means to pay for materials, finding clients to buy their paintings, or being a victim of exploitive deals from gallery brokers, the African artist generally reflects the story of trying to be successful against all odds.
People in other countries more often consume the market of contemporary African art than Africans themselves. Take for example the country of Kenya, in East Africa. You will not find framed, original African paintings in most citizens' homes. Furthermore, Kenyans often do not see African art as an official product, and surely do not view it as valuable now or gaining value over a lifetime. It is unfortunate that in Kenya and Africa as a whole, artists are abundant and their paintings very beautiful, but the public citizen does not recognize their talents. Why is this?
Tingatinga African Paintings: From Tanzania to Worldwide Recognition Sourced from Art-Bin.com During the 1960's, Edward S. Tingatinga established an African painting style that became associated with his home country, Tanzania. The name today, "Tingatinga" refers to his form of art in Tanzania and across the world, especially in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Kenya.
I walked up the stairs, there was something that caught my attention. There before me, hanging on a wall, was a very large painting of a woman who was moving in very slow rhythmic waves due to the slight breeze. I stood right in front of the painting and my imagination went wild! “This is a masterpiece! Who did this?” I thought.
In the early 1900’s, European artists were facing a struggle between the avant-garde style that had been established and a more contemporary realism that was emerging. This approach to art influenced such artists from around the world to begin to question their own material, subjects, media and intentions. Eventually, it all led back to Africa.
Long overlooked on the international arts scene, Kenya is finally gaining prestige on the world stage. Some African artists can now make their living entirely from their artwork and collectors are coming from around the world to buy it.
Africa has been underrepresented in galleries and at auctions, but it looks like collectors eager to try something new may be developing an appetite for African art.