African art

By Anette Mikkelsen
Art as an intellectual concept does not exist in traditional Africa. African art is intimately bound to religion and magic, and cannot be separated from daily functional aspects of life.
African Art must be seen from a broad view with special consideration given to its social and religious meaning and function.
When one says 'African Art', the idea of masks is automatically conjured before the minds eye. However, true African art comprises music, dance, theatre, drummaking, weaving, fabric and house design. The functional purpose of a mask in ritual dance, is that it should come to life as a living spirit.
Cloth may be designed to tell the history of a family, tribe or nation or to show rank in a religious order or secret society.

 African art has inspired and influenced several European painters. An example is Picasso's cubist periods. African art confirmed him in his own search for new forms and the magical dimensions in paintings.
We have chosen to focus on African painters here.