Few things can add style to a room quite like an interesting piece of art. A colorful painting or striking statue not only provides a visual focal point to your decor but is also a great conversation starter. If you are looking to invest in art that will surely give your guests something to talk about, you can't go wrong with African sculptures.
For thousands of years, Africans have been sculpting. There is as much variety in style as there is in cultures on the continent. Human figures are common and are usually depicted in an abstract style that has influenced modern artists, including Pablo Picasso. Spiritual themes are popular too and you will also find pieces that are very realistic, often depicting animals like giraffes or elephants.
The most popular medium for Africa's sculptors is wood, which is easy to find, inexpensive and soft enough to carve without having to invest in costly tools. When an artist works with wood that isn't of the best quality, he or she may paint the sculpture, using bright colors. However, many sculptors let the texture and natural colors of the wood become part of the art, only polishing it to give it a smooth, shiny finish.
Clay is popular for its inexpensiveness too but a more durable material is stone. Highly skilled artists often work in harder stone like granite, serpentine or marble. Less expensive but a popular medium from Cape Town to Cairo is soapstone, because it is soft and easy to work with. You can find soapstone in many beautiful colors, from soft lavender or cream to dramatic black or red.
The bones and tusks of animals provide the material for small carved pieces. In the past, many artists in Africa also used the huge tusks of elephants and these intricate carvings were extremely popular in Europe. Because of today's strict regulations about the sale of ivory, though, the medium is hardly ever used anymore. Should you decide to invest in an ivory carving, you need to check the local laws about this substance.
Many people think that working in metal is a relatively new tradition in Africa. However, archaeological finds such as the golden rhinos of Mapungubwe or the bronze and copper pieces from the Niger Delta and Benin show that Africans have been creating art from metal for at least a thousand years. The early examples of metal sculpture are mainly cast pieces but contemporary artists such as Nigeria's Sokari Douglas Camp or South Africa's Giovanni Schoeman have used welding techniques to create fascinating artwork in metals such as steel.
In the past few decades, sculptors have also turned to recycled materials. These include anything from wire and bottle tops to old tires and plastic shopping bags. Many street artists create quirky pieces depicting animals and birds, people and even household objects. The Ethiopian Elias Sime, the Ugandan Patrick Mulondo, the Ghanaian El Anatsui and the Cameroonian Pascale Marthine Tayou are just some of the sculptors who have made a name for themselves internationally by creating art from trash.
The best place to look for sculptures from Africa depends on whether you want art simply for enjoyment or whether you want to invest in something that might become very valuable over time. The works of acclaimed artists are sold in galleries throughout the world and at art auctions. For cheaper pieces by street artists, simply visit the markets in any of Africa's larger cities or tourist areas.
For thousands of years, Africans have been sculpting. There is as much variety in style as there is in cultures on the continent. Human figures are common and are usually depicted in an abstract style that has influenced modern artists, including Pablo Picasso. Spiritual themes are popular too and you will also find pieces that are very realistic, often depicting animals like giraffes or elephants.
The most popular medium for Africa's sculptors is wood, which is easy to find, inexpensive and soft enough to carve without having to invest in costly tools. When an artist works with wood that isn't of the best quality, he or she may paint the sculpture, using bright colors. However, many sculptors let the texture and natural colors of the wood become part of the art, only polishing it to give it a smooth, shiny finish.
Clay is popular for its inexpensiveness too but a more durable material is stone. Highly skilled artists often work in harder stone like granite, serpentine or marble. Less expensive but a popular medium from Cape Town to Cairo is soapstone, because it is soft and easy to work with. You can find soapstone in many beautiful colors, from soft lavender or cream to dramatic black or red.
The bones and tusks of animals provide the material for small carved pieces. In the past, many artists in Africa also used the huge tusks of elephants and these intricate carvings were extremely popular in Europe. Because of today's strict regulations about the sale of ivory, though, the medium is hardly ever used anymore. Should you decide to invest in an ivory carving, you need to check the local laws about this substance.
Many people think that working in metal is a relatively new tradition in Africa. However, archaeological finds such as the golden rhinos of Mapungubwe or the bronze and copper pieces from the Niger Delta and Benin show that Africans have been creating art from metal for at least a thousand years. The early examples of metal sculpture are mainly cast pieces but contemporary artists such as Nigeria's Sokari Douglas Camp or South Africa's Giovanni Schoeman have used welding techniques to create fascinating artwork in metals such as steel.
In the past few decades, sculptors have also turned to recycled materials. These include anything from wire and bottle tops to old tires and plastic shopping bags. Many street artists create quirky pieces depicting animals and birds, people and even household objects. The Ethiopian Elias Sime, the Ugandan Patrick Mulondo, the Ghanaian El Anatsui and the Cameroonian Pascale Marthine Tayou are just some of the sculptors who have made a name for themselves internationally by creating art from trash.
The best place to look for sculptures from Africa depends on whether you want art simply for enjoyment or whether you want to invest in something that might become very valuable over time. The works of acclaimed artists are sold in galleries throughout the world and at art auctions. For cheaper pieces by street artists, simply visit the markets in any of Africa's larger cities or tourist areas.
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