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

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

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.

Product Description
This magnificent celebration of the world’s oldest and most diverse artistic traditions is considered the definitive book on 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 extraordinary volume reflect a continent of enormous cultural and historical scope. Arranged chronologically within seven geographical sections, it offers an astonishing array of sculptures in wood, bronze, stone, and gold, as well as mural paintings, ceremonial pieces, ceramics, jewelry, 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 highlight critical aspects of each region. Together these words and images take readers on an artistic grand tour through a continent of unparalleled diversity, and towards the thrilling discovery of not one Africa, but many.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 615 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (March 1999)
• 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.com Sales Rank: #686,917 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 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, Asian & Oceanic 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

5 of 6 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)

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.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Final Grade: 81%, March 19, 2007

By	The Djeli (Ile Ife, Nigeria) - See all my reviews

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.