African paintings are known for their beauty and their power to capture the culture of the people and the wonders of nature. South African art often depicts hamlet life, including rites, everyday chores, tragedies and celebrations. These paintings are picked up throughout the world and prized for their artfulness.
In the pre-colonial times of Africa, art was often more abstract than it is today. In traditional times it was typically found painted on rocks within caves, with depictions of African wildlife art and humans. These rock paintings are still utilized today to grasp the life African ancestors led.
South African art from the San, an ancient tribe, was first to show the spiritual world and its link to humanity. This art regularly showed medicine men giving the whole tribe a divine message from the unseen world. It is also known that most of these paintings were completed after a dance by the medication man after he healed the unwell and communicated with spirits.
Clans throughout Africa have developed their own materials and even pigments to make African wildlife art and other art forms. It is definitely possible to tell the origin of artwork just by taking a look at the distinct pigments. While artwork commenced on cave walls, it finally spread to textiles, homes and even body art.
An interesting fact about much of African art throughout the continent is it wasn't just used to express beauty. In some tribes it was used as a type of secret communication. For example, in the 1700's, the Ndebele clan started molding their homes from mud and painting unique patterns on the walls. Only the Ndebele understood the meaning of the symbols. The women of the clan were called the tradition conveyors and the paintings were passed from girl to daughter.
As war and unrest swept all though Africa, design was also used to portray injustice, corruption and disputes among clans. Because of the many themes and meanings found in African art, African art for sale is popular around the planet and is valued for its rich colour, deep meaning and overall beauty.
In the pre-colonial times of Africa, art was often more abstract than it is today. In traditional times it was typically found painted on rocks within caves, with depictions of African wildlife art and humans. These rock paintings are still utilized today to grasp the life African ancestors led.
South African art from the San, an ancient tribe, was first to show the spiritual world and its link to humanity. This art regularly showed medicine men giving the whole tribe a divine message from the unseen world. It is also known that most of these paintings were completed after a dance by the medication man after he healed the unwell and communicated with spirits.
Clans throughout Africa have developed their own materials and even pigments to make African wildlife art and other art forms. It is definitely possible to tell the origin of artwork just by taking a look at the distinct pigments. While artwork commenced on cave walls, it finally spread to textiles, homes and even body art.
An interesting fact about much of African art throughout the continent is it wasn't just used to express beauty. In some tribes it was used as a type of secret communication. For example, in the 1700's, the Ndebele clan started molding their homes from mud and painting unique patterns on the walls. Only the Ndebele understood the meaning of the symbols. The women of the clan were called the tradition conveyors and the paintings were passed from girl to daughter.
As war and unrest swept all though Africa, design was also used to portray injustice, corruption and disputes among clans. Because of the many themes and meanings found in African art, African art for sale is popular around the planet and is valued for its rich colour, deep meaning and overall beauty.
About the Author:
If you are ever in African and wish to capture some great photos of the wildlife to produce paintings from I seriously recommend reading my Nikon 1 Review blog or my Nikon D3100 review to determine which one works best for you.
