Modern Art Gallery » African Artists http://www.umstattdcope.com Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:27:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 African Tribal Art – Origin For Modern Art From Africa http://www.umstattdcope.com/african-tribal-art-origin-for-modern-art-from-africa http://www.umstattdcope.com/african-tribal-art-origin-for-modern-art-from-africa#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:15:02 +0000 admin http://www.umstattdcope.com/african-tribal-art-origin-for-modern-art-from-africa

The artists of Africa inspired the art of the West, energizing great artists such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh and Modigliani. Their spirituality and abstraction and imagination helped to free Western artists from their restraint and help them do create modern European art..

Today, the torch has been passed to a new generation of African contemporary artists, artists such as Efiaimbelo, Fanizani Akuda, Frederic Bruly Bouabre Prince Twins Seven-Seven, and Reinata Sadimba. These artists continue to uphold the excellence of the artistry of their forefathers. Classic African tribal art had a mystical element and spiritual significance, actually many were used for mystical purposes. African art techniques were passed from generation to generation

Nowadays the world is changing quickly in Africa. Below, we will discuss 3 contemporary and outstanding African artists. These artists are introducing the world to the new Africa, its new artistry and forms. They are seeking to create their own standard.

Inácio MATSINHE: Contemporary African artist, Inacio Matsinhe (born, 1945-, Maxixe, Mozambique), is a master of his country’s Mozambique, plastic artistry. His beautiful paintings feature warm and vibrant reds, blues, violets, yellow and green. Matsinhe is also a very distinguished artist, earning the two scholarships from the Gulbenkian Foundation and traveling the world to study ceramics in Italy and later in London at the Poytechnic Institute SirJohn Cass-School of Arts. In 1977, he opened an atelier in Lisbon, where he provided an exhibition area for fellow artists.

Malangatan Ngwenya: African contemporary artist, Malangatan Ngwenya (born 1926-, Mozambique) is one of Mozambiques most famous of the visual arts artists. Mozambiques considerable art talent was most notably recognized by tennis player Augusto Cabral, who provided Ngwenya, with art materials and assisted him in selling is work. In 1959 he had his very first public, group art exhibit, and in 1961, his first solo one. A few years late he spend a period of 18 months incarcerated, later, nearly 40 years later, he would be awarded the 1997 UNESCO Artist for Peace. In the early 1970’s he received monies from the Gulbenkian Foundation where worked with ceramics and engravings. His art has been exhibited all over the world in places like Angola, the United States, Nigeria, Swizterland, India, Portugal and many more places. He has an advocate for artistry and has helped to create major institutions as the Natural Museum of Art, and the Centre for Cultural studies. Ngwenya is also a prominent political figure, he helped to found the Mozambican Peace Movement.

Kivuthi MBUNO: African Contemporary Artist, Kivuthi MBUNO, (born 1947-, Kenya) is a renown international artist. His art has graced the very best museums and galleries all over the world. MBUNO has an affinity for nature which was developed as his turns as a Safari chief. MBUNO ink, pastel and colored pencils drawings generally include people, animals in their natural environments and also wide spaces.

]]> http://www.umstattdcope.com/african-tribal-art-origin-for-modern-art-from-africa/feed 0 Dissolving Stereotypes Concerning Contemporary African Art http://www.umstattdcope.com/dissolving-stereotypes-concerning-contemporary-african-art http://www.umstattdcope.com/dissolving-stereotypes-concerning-contemporary-african-art#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:39:27 +0000 admin http://www.universalartgallery.net/dissolving-stereotypes-concerning-contemporary-african-art One positive facet of globalisation is the fusion of creative elements from various cultures of the world. The essence of this global shift has drastically changed the contemporary African art market, rendering post modern representations of this great continent, its people and creatures in new and enlightening contexts. Modern African artists work to explore new concepts by interpreting them within their indigenous traditions or by reflecting their authentic African situation or experience in their art work.

However, maybe it is less the content or style of the works than the origin, location or structure of the artist that exhibit them. If you talk about the contemporary art world today you are really referring to a world of art. Modern art cites from Sao Paolo to London, from Kassel to Cape Town all embrace an array of artists and cultures from the four corners of the globe, many of whom were born in Africa. Who are these global artists? And when they make art, do they make African Art? Or do they make modern African art? Contemporary Art from Africa or Postmodern African Art? Are these descriptions only applicable for artists that are from Africa? Or who live in Africa?

Postmodern African Artists Endure a Mixed Blessing

Defining the contemporary artists’ identity based on cultural or geographical boundaries has always been applied, especially in the African case. Unfortunately for many postmodern African artists this is a mixed blessing. Possessing African roots can be seen as a source of pride, an irrelevant fact, or a perpetual curse. Western stereotypes are steadfast and hard to eliminate. Western cultural presuppositions have negatively affected the presentation and interpretation of contemporary African art. In the Washington Post the Tanzanian artist Kiure Msangi quoted the reaction of a journalist: “Do you use acrylic paint? But that is not African!” Kiure Msangi proceeded: “If I would have used in some canvases acrylic paint with cow dung, I am sure the critics would have loved it”.

Can the World’s Contemporary Art Culture Benefit from the African Experience?

Although the stereotypes still exist, there is a growing upward trend in the sale and exhibition of contemporary “African Art”. Both collectors and the general public are investing in exciting vibrant paintings, sculptures, installations and digital art. These contemporary art collections bring delight and financial reward, while enriching many homes with modern form and colour.

The 21st century has been with us for some time and “African Art” is beginning to solidify the respect it has gained in recent years. This contemporary art should not be discarded as a strange sub-category, but be recognised for its sophistication and quality. These modern works of art are being produced by a professional and ethnically diverse art community that spans the globe.




By: Deri Jenkins

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