Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
While African ivory is stronger than Indian ivory, it still needs gentle care and cleaning. Ivory is composed of dentin and is porous in nature. It fades in direct light, and reacts to variations in heat or moisture by buckling, bubbling or cracking. When cleaning is necessary, it is important to clean the material with care to avoid damage. With the correct care and cleaning, ivory items can keep their beauty for centuries.
The indigenous arts of Africa show a variety of techniques, materials, styles and thematic content. Several tribes in West Africa, like in Igbo, worked with copper before the arrival of the Portuguese in the late 15th century, but once the Portuguese started bringing more metals to the continent for trade, copper working increased. Many notable examples from West Africa, particularly in Nigeria and Benin, illustrate the skill and artistry of Africa's copper, bronze and brass workers.
Games, arts and crafts -- activities that children enjoy doing -- can be used to teach children about the diversity of African culture. Teachers and parents can use these engaging games to teach children about another culture while the children have fun. By exposing children to the African culture through play-based activities, children will learn to be tolerant and accepting of children from African culture.
Africa is a vast continent featuring many cultures that have been creating art for centuries. Unlike the modern art with which most Europeans and North Americans are familiar, traditional African art is designed to be used rather than hidden away in a museum. Masks are created for use in ceremonies, while patterned cloth and pottery are used for clothing and storage of food.
West Africa, the westernmost region of the continent of Africa, holds a deep and rich artistic history. Art is a deeply embedded part of culture and society in West Africa and is passed down from generations as a form of self-expression, a means of retelling history, and for general functional use. Drawings, ceramics and sculptures have been found that date back hundreds of years. Long before the Western world defined art, West Africa was producing its own unique and beautiful art forms.
Shopping for the perfect gift can be exhausting. With so many mass produced items on the market, it can be difficult to give an unforgettable gift. African art pieces are generally are hand-made, unique and creative. African sculptures and other artistic gift items are available in eclectic gift shops, home decor stores and online.
The continent of Africa boasts one of the world's richest artistic and cultural legacies, stemming back several thousand years and continuing up to the present day. Despite the fact that it is often ignored by Western art historians, Africa continues to contribute to the evolution of art.
Picasso created art influenced by African masks, such as his early controversial cubist piece, Les Demoiselles de Avignon, which depicts several women in a brothel wearing African masks. Understand Picasso's influential works with information from an experienced artist in this free video on art.
