👩🏾‍🎨African Art Unit 15 – African Art's Influence on Western Modernism

Historical Context

• African art has a rich and diverse history spanning thousands of years and numerous cultures across the continent
• Traditional African art served various purposes, including religious rituals, social status symbols, and historical documentation
• Colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade had a significant impact on the perception and dissemination of African art
  • European colonizers often viewed African art as "primitive" or "exotic"
  • Enslaved Africans brought their artistic traditions to the Americas, influencing the development of new art forms (African American quilts, Caribbean carnival costumes)
• The early 20th century saw a growing interest in African art among Western artists and collectors
• The 1905 Fauvist exhibition and the 1907 African sculptures exhibition in Paris introduced many Western artists to African art
• The rise of anthropology and ethnography contributed to the study and appreciation of African art in the West

Key African Art Forms and Styles

• Masks: Used in religious ceremonies, rituals, and performances, often representing spirits or ancestors (Dogon masks, Baule masks)
• Sculptures: Carved from wood, stone, or cast in metal, depicting human figures, animals, or abstract forms (Benin bronzes, Kongo nkisi figures)
  • Sculptures often served religious or spiritual purposes, such as honoring deities or ancestors
  • Some sculptures were used in initiation rites or as symbols of power and authority
• Textiles: Woven, dyed, or embroidered fabrics with intricate patterns and symbols (Kente cloth, Adinkra cloth)
• Pottery: Created for both functional and ceremonial purposes, often decorated with geometric patterns or figurative designs (Zulu beer pots, Nok terracotta figures)
• Rock art: Paintings and engravings on rock surfaces, found in various regions of Africa (Tassili n'Ajjer, Drakensberg)
• Body art: Temporary or permanent modifications to the human body, including scarification, tattooing, and body painting (Wodaabe face painting, Fulani henna designs)

Western Modernist Movement

• Modernism in Western art emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional artistic conventions
• Artists sought new forms of expression, inspired by various sources, including African art
• Fauvism (1905-1908): Emphasized strong colors and expressive brushwork, inspired by the bold colors and simplified forms of African masks (Henri Matisse, André Derain)
• Cubism (1907-1914): Pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, influenced by the geometric forms and multiple perspectives found in African sculptures
  • Analytic Cubism (1909-1912): Focused on breaking down objects into geometric planes and muted colors
  • Synthetic Cubism (1912-1914): Incorporated collage elements and brighter colors
• Expressionism (1905-1930s): Sought to convey emotional experiences through distorted forms and intense colors, drew inspiration from the expressive qualities of African art (Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Emil Nolde)
• Surrealism (1924-1940s): Explored the subconscious mind and dreams, influenced by the spiritual and symbolic aspects of African art (Max Ernst, André Breton)

African Art's Journey to the West

• European colonization of Africa led to the removal of numerous African artworks from their original contexts
• Explorers, missionaries, and colonial administrators collected African art objects as curiosities or trophies
• The 1897 British punitive expedition against the Kingdom of Benin resulted in the looting of thousands of Benin bronzes, which were then sold or donated to Western museums
• Western anthropologists and ethnographers, such as Leo Frobenius and Carl Einstein, studied and documented African art, contributing to its recognition as a legitimate art form
• The 1914-1915 Statuary exhibition in Paris, organized by Paul Guillaume, further exposed Western artists to African sculptures
• The opening of the Musée d'Ethnographie du Trocadéro in Paris in 1878 provided a space for the display and study of African art
  • The museum's collections were later transferred to the Musée de l'Homme in 1937
• Private collectors, such as Helena Rubinstein and Paul Guillaume, played a significant role in bringing African art to the attention of Western artists and the public

Influential African Artists and Artifacts

• Olowe of Ise (c. 1875-1938): Yoruba sculptor known for his intricate wooden palace doors and figurative sculptures
• Bamana people of Mali: Created the Ci Wara headdresses, which were used in agricultural ceremonies and inspired the Cubist artists
• Benin Kingdom (present-day Nigeria): Produced the famous Benin bronzes, including the Queen Mother Pendant Mask (Iyoba) and the Benin Horseman
• Dogon people of Mali: Known for their complex cosmology and distinctive masks, such as the Kanaga mask, which influenced the Cubist and Surrealist artists
• Fang people of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Cameroon: Created the Ngil masks and the Byeri reliquary figures, which were collected by Western artists and collectors
• Kongo people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola: Produced the Nkisi Nkondi power figures, which were admired by the Expressionist artists
• Senufo people of Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso: Created the Kpeliye'e masks and the Pombibele figures, which inspired the Cubist and Surrealist artists

Impact on Western Artists and Movements

• Pablo Picasso: Significantly influenced by African masks and sculptures, evident in his groundbreaking painting Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) and his Cubist works
• Henri Matisse: Drew inspiration from the bold colors and simplified forms of African textiles and sculptures, as seen in his Fauvist paintings and cut-outs
• Amedeo Modigliani: Incorporated elongated faces and simplified features reminiscent of African masks in his portraits
• Constantin Brâncuși: Inspired by the abstract forms and spiritual qualities of African sculptures in his streamlined, minimalist sculptures
• German Expressionists (Die Brücke, Der Blaue Reiter): Admired the expressive power and raw emotions conveyed in African art, influencing their use of color and form
• Surrealists: Drawn to the spiritual and symbolic aspects of African art, incorporating elements of the subconscious and dreams in their works

Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation

• The use of African art by Western artists has raised questions about cultural appropriation and the power dynamics involved
• Cultural appropriation: The adoption of elements from a marginalized culture by members of a dominant culture without proper understanding, acknowledgment, or respect
  • Some argue that Western artists' use of African art forms and motifs constitutes cultural appropriation, as they often benefited from the popularity of these works without fully understanding their cultural significance
• Cultural appreciation: The respectful and informed engagement with another culture's art and traditions, acknowledging their origins and context
  • Others contend that Western artists' interest in African art helped to challenge prevailing notions of "primitive" art and contributed to a greater appreciation of African cultures
• The debate surrounding cultural appropriation vs. appreciation highlights the need for open dialogue, education, and respect when engaging with art from other cultures
• Contemporary African artists and scholars have played a crucial role in reclaiming and reinterpreting African art history and asserting their agency in the global art world

Legacy and Contemporary Influence

• The influence of African art on Western Modernism has had a lasting impact on the art world, challenging traditional Western notions of art and aesthetics
• African art's emphasis on abstraction, simplification, and spiritual expression continues to inspire contemporary artists across the globe
• The increased recognition of African art's significance has led to a growing interest in collecting, exhibiting, and studying African art in museums and academic institutions worldwide
• Contemporary African artists, such as El Anatsui, Yinka Shonibare, and Kehinde Wiley, have gained international acclaim for their works that engage with African art traditions while addressing contemporary issues
  • El Anatsui: Known for his large-scale installations made from discarded bottle caps and other found materials, exploring themes of consumerism, globalization, and African history
  • Yinka Shonibare: Creates sculptures, installations, and photographs that challenge colonial narratives and explore issues of identity and cultural hybridity, often incorporating African wax-print fabrics
  • Kehinde Wiley: Paints large-scale portraits of African Americans in the style of European old master paintings, subverting traditional power dynamics and representation
• The legacy of African art's influence on Western Modernism has also sparked important conversations about cultural exchange, power imbalances, and the need for a more inclusive and equitable art world