Modern Art in Africa
Modern art in Africa is understood to be the art that is created by the African diaspora artists as well as the artists in Africa during the post-independence era. However, the definition of this form of art is one that has recently been understood to represent post-independence art that has been appreciated into the global platform of art especially after the 1980s. Defining art in the 21st century is quite challenging and as such, categorizing contemporary African art is also quite difficult (Ezra 12). The world of art is recognizing the works of individuals in art as opposed to generalization of ethnic works of art in Africa. Nevertheless, it is quite apparent that matters in most contemporary African art pieces are centered on both Africanness and the daily lives of Africans especially after the realization of independence in most of the countries.
Africanness in Contemporary Art
It would be prudent to identify the aspect of Africanness in art for it to be considered African (Siegenthaler 6). Africanness in contemporary art is seen in the preservation of traditional artistic representations such as masks, costumes, and performances that depict the native beliefs and cultures. However, the transition to modernity is extensively represented by the adaptation of modern materials. Contemporary African art also paints a picture of the struggles that took place pre and post-independence. The contemporary African artists deal with a range of issues including economic disparity, public health, geopolitical shifts, as well as national identity (Anadolu-Okur 22). Contemporary African artists also capture the subject of the cultural diversities that exist within the society. Additionally, the realization of independence meant a significant cultural shift which is often depicted in the art.
Incorporation of African Art into Contemporary Art
In conclusion, the incorporation of African art into contemporary art has been a challenging process for a long time. However, it is often categorized as the art that was created during the post-independence era. As such, contemporary African art often talks about issues that affect the Africans in their daily lives especially after the realization of independence.
Works Cited
Anadolu-Okur, Nilgun. Contemporary African American Theater: Afrocentricity in the Works of Larry Neal, Amiri Baraka, and Charles Fuller. Routledge, 2013.
Ezra, Kate. "Contemporary African Art." African Arts 34.1 (2001): 11.
Siegenthaler, Fiona. "Contemporary African Art." (2017): 3-15.
African Art Work Analysis
The Yoruba have one of the highest rates of twinning in the world. Among the Yoruba, twins are revered and as such are regarded to come with the protection of the Orisha deity. However, when a child dies during birth, the parents visit a diviner in the months leading to the naming ceremony and find a carver to make them the Ere Ibeji figure.
The Ere Ibeji figure is a wooden carving of a male or a female and is believed to be a focal point of spiritual energy. The carving may be decorated with things such as beads, shells, blue paint, camwood powder and precious textiles as they represent the deceased twin (Mcllroy 11). Despite the fact that the carving is meant to represent a child, it is prudent to note that it does not bear any resemblance to a child but to a mature adult. The figure represents the ideal type of beauty of a middle-aged person among the Yoruba. The style of the carving is such that emphasis is put on the shape of the head (conical), the roundness of the eyes, an elaborate hairstyle, emphasized facial features, and a balance between the body parts.
The features are created to represent certain values that all children should cultivate (White 5). The size of the carving was such that the mother of the deceased could carry it on her back like a child. The jewelry and the hairstyles are made to represent honor, and it is washed since the mother treats it like she would treat the deceased child. The Ere Ibeji is often paired when both twins die.
Conclusively, childbirth among the Yoruba is a revered subject with twins being the ultimate ‘prize’ of birth. However, the people believed that every person is born with a spiritual deity and as such the Ere Ibeji was carved to represent a deceased child. The figure represents the aesthetic values desired of a Yoruba adult.
Works Cited
McIlroy, Emily C. "One half living for two: Cross-cultural paradigms of twinship and twin loss." OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying 64.1 (2012): 1-13.
White, Anthony. "The Trouble with Twins: Image and Ritual of the Yoruba ère ìbejì." Electronic Melbourne Art Journal 5 (2010): 1.
