Research: African tribal art

As an art student, we may hear about the history of western art and aesthetics. Probably some of the greatest 20th centuries works of western art that inspired by African artistry: Gauguin took his influence from Tahiti, Picasso was influenced by African masks as he developed his Cubist style. Hence, under the cultural bias, some western supremacy may be affected and shaped the impression, they might also distort some original definition of African art. In order to recapture their original culture, I would develop what the original form of African culture - tribal art is and study deeply with the primitive art culture, hope can get some inspiration for my collection.

What is Tribal Art?
Original African art is a product of the varied traditional or indigenous peoples. There are some differences between works made for the industry market and those made by tribal people for their daily life. African art and tribal masks are usually related with social significance or have deep relevance to tradition, also always marked the veneration of animist spirits or of ancestors. In the African culture, different races often had their own autonomy, they all have their own characteristic artworks which depend on their life pattern: Nomads would choose lightweight, decorative pieces that are often simple to bear; Carvings and African tribal masks are common among West African forest dwellers. According to the history, African artworks have their very nature imbued meaning: prestige, wealth, cultural identity, spiritual wealth and so much more...

African tribal art include:
wood masks, wood sculptures, stone carvings, furniture, ceramics, metalwork, jewelry, basketry, textiles, pipes, musical instruments, weapons, beadwork and the production of architectural features like doors and wall decoration and construction.

Common raw materials:
Wood, clay, pigments, shells, beads, ivory, metal, feathers, animal hair and raffia, and sometimes even semi-precious gems.

stone laughing sculpture

wood mask

Textiles

beadwork

wood sculpture

When I was researching the background information of Tribal art, I noticed a modern African artist, Lamidi Olonade Fakeye who is a internationally recognized for being a carver. He used aesthetic form to express a societal statement about cultural influence of urbanisation and globalisation. Their art can reflect the aims and also incorporating traditional skills as well as indigenous culture and beliefs. I think it will be benefit to look at some of his work, due to the little introduction of the web, I know he also presented about the culture of his tribe and all its myths and legends, so it may have more information about the local art form, I will be do another research on the following blog post.

 Tribal Art. [Online] Contemporary African Art. Available from : https://www.contemporary-african-art.com/tribal-art.html [Accessed 24/04/21].

African Odyssey Blog about African art and ethnic jewellery. Available from : https://www.africanodyssey.co.uk/blog/ [Accessed 09/05/21].

Odyssey, A. If African Masks Could Talk. Available from : https://www.africanodyssey.co.uk/blog/if-african-masks-could-talk [Accessed 09/05/21].