Africa: The Art of a Continent (African Art) [Paperback]

Tom Phillips (Author), Royal Academy of Arts (Great Britain) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003 | Series: African Art

Ranging from the oldest known human artifact, circa 1.6 million BC, to pieces made within living memory, the objects collected in this volume reflect a continent of enormous cultural and historical scope. Arranged chronologically within seven geographical sections, it offers an array of sculptures in wood, bronze, stone and gold as well as rock paintings, ceremonial pieces, ceramics, jewellery and textiles culled from private and public collections around the world. Commentary by renowned scholars illuminates the cultural and historical significance of these pieces and in-depth authoritative texts highlights critical aspects of each region. Together these words and images take readers on artistic grand tour through a continent of unparalleled diversity and towards the thrilling discovery of not one Africa, but many.

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.

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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 620 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791320041
• ISBN-13: 978-3791320045
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #353,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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., October 9, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (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, March 10, 2006

By 

Arthur V. Rowe "Artista" (Sacramento,Ca,USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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%, March 19, 2007

By 

The Djeli (New York City) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.