This volume provides a global vision of the art of Africa through a host of colourful images of the finest known objects from the continent's cultural heritage. It examines African art geographically in a "grand tour" that divides the continent into seven areas. Beginning with ancient Egypt and Nubia, it moves down the eastern coast through Ethiopia and the Sudan - including the island of Madagascar - to Southern Africa, then up through the Congo and Central Africa to the Guinea Coast and the countries of the Sahara. Finally, it moves to North Africa, before returning to Egypt in its later Christian and Islamic periods. Within each of these seven chapters, objects are illustrated in chronological order, demonstrating the extraordinary range of styles inspired by different religions and cultures realized in a variety of materials from dung to gold. The artifacts comprise ornaments and jewellery, textiles, snuff bottles, Tutsi basketry from Rwanda, and sculpture, including the finest bronzes, terracottas and wood carvings from all periods. The book details the archaeological, historical and cultural background of every illustrated object and relates individual pieces to the people who made them. From ancient Egypt comes the Battleground Palette from 5000 B.C. This ceremonial palette depicts a battle on one side and an elegantly carved scene of grazing animals on the other. The book pictures a lyre from the southern Sudan that is over three feet high and profusely decorated with coins, beads, and shells. Also included is the oldest human artifact found on Earth - a handmade stone tool 1.6 million years old from Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. If the scope of the book spans a whole continent, the source of the objects is transcontinental. Works of art from the finest public and private collections in Europe, America and the rest of the world are juxtaposed with the best from Africa itself. This book is published to coincide with "Africa 95", the first nationwide celebration of the arts of Africa ever to be held in Great Britain. Patrons of "Africa 95" are Her Majesty The Queen, President Nelson Mandela, and President Leopold Sedar Senghor. As the birthplace of the human race, Africa has a cultural history of unparalleled length; the book reflects this vast time span and the diversity of the art of the continent. Contributors to this book include Tom Phillips, John Mack, Anthony Appiah, Daniel Biebuyck, Rene Bravmann, Patricia Davison, Nadia Erzini, Peter Garlake, John Picton, Edna R. Russman, Wole Soyinka, Laslo Torok, Rachel Ward and Cornel West.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Associated with an exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum, this book provides a survey of 100 visually spectacular objects from Africa. As befits current thinking, the catalog (and exhibition) surveys the entire continent, including ancient Egypt and Nubia and north and northwestern Africa as well as the sub-Saharan region. Each object is reproduced in color and accompanied by extensive catalog entries written by over 60 expert contributors. The catalog section is preceded by five essays contributed by major scholars in the field. The essays discuss the nature of African art and its appreciation. Gates's article on the ambivalence displayed by 20th-century Western appreciation and Suzanne Blier's essay on the myths and misconceptions surrounding African art are especially valuable contributions. Highly recommended for any library with an interest in African art.?Eugene C. Burt, Art Inst. of Seattle Lib.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Publisher
The contents are arranged geographically in a 'grand tour' that divides the continent into seven areas. Beginning with Ancient Egypt and Nubia, the tour proceeds through Ethiopia and the Sudan to the eastern coast and southern Africa, then moves up through central Africa to the coastal areas of west Africa and the countries of the sub-Saharan region. The survey ends in northern Africa, coming full circle with a discussion of Egypt in its Christian and Islamic periods.
Within each of these seven sections objects are arranged in broadly chronological order. They demonstrate the wide range of styles in African art, inspired by different religions and cultures, and the equally astonishing variety of materials, from dung to gold and including bronze, ivory and terracotta, as well as superb wood-carvings from all over the continent. Works of art from major public and private collections in Europe and the USA are juxtaposed with the finest from Africa itself.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
African Art, a true collectors edition.,
By mfarley@pavilion.co.uk (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Africa: The Art of a Continent (African Art) (Hardcover)
One of the most complete general works on African Art and well worth purchasing for detailed information on the variation in art form, tribe, country and art style in Africa. Almost full tribal location information and regionalised art details makes this book a must for the serious collector and student on the subject. From early Egyptian to more recent times, it is a book you have to read several times to understand that no one can ever know the true depth and complexity within the African Art world. A good all round reference book on a much missunderstood and underated art form. Mark Farley
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Art of a Continent,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Africa: The Art of a Continent (African Art) (Paperback)
Very informmative text, very easy to read, and understand. With pictures, and text that visually and verbably discribe in detail each object listed. Great number of art objects not available to view without the photographs in this book I am 100% satisfied with this book and will use it as a reference, on an ongoing basis. A must for the collector of African Art.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Final Grade: 81%,
By The Djeli (New York City) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Africa: The Art of a Continent (African Art) (Paperback)
a fair collection of colour and black and white photos of African art from all over the continent. Of all the areas, East Africa (excluding the Horn of Africa) is given the least attention. I think they could have also expanded on Ethiopian art.Another problem is the lack of showing contemporary African art (it assumes that new Euro-influenced art is no longer African. This is of course ridiculous since contemporary Euro art since the late 19th century has been heavily African influence, yet remains European art) Also, the book does not include African architectural art. Though I only gave it a B-minus, if there was a sliding scale I'd have to give it an A-minus due to the lack of good art books regarding Africa.
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