A History of Art in Africa (Hardcover)

by Monica Blackmun Visona (Author), Robin Poynor (Author), Herbert M. Cole (Author), Michael D. Harris (Author), Rowland Abiodun (Author), Suzanne Preston Blier (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A groundbreaking work, this is the first book to cover the arts of the entire continent of Africa, including Egypt, and to survey the art history, rather than the cultural traditions, of African peoples. The authors' unique synthesis of up-to-date research on African arts of many periods and geographic areas has resulted in a major contribution to the literature of art history.

Thousands of years of African art, from prehistory to the present, are considered, encompassing sculpture, painting, architecture, textiles, ceramics, and the myriad art forms of personal adornment and performance. Individual authors contribute chapters on their areas of expertise, yet the whole volume works as a seamless text, weaving together everything from prehistoric Saharan rock art to contemporary sculpture, including the rich, multi-faceted art of the African diaspora. Brilliantly illustrated throughout, and including full indexes and bibliography, this volume is a milestone in the study and future perception of African art.

MONICA BLACKMUN VISONÀ is associate professor in the Department of Art at Metropolitan State College, Denver. ROBIN POYNOR, professor in the School of Art and Art History at the University of Florida, Gainesville, curates exhibits of African art for museums and writes for the journal African Arts. HERBERT M. COLE, professor of art history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, is the author of Icons: Ideals in the Art of Africa. MICHAEL D. HARRIS is assistant professor of art history at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

ROWLAND ABIODUN is professor of fine arts and black studies at Amherst College.

SUZANNE PRESTON BLIER is a professor of African art in the departments of Fine Arts and Afro-American Studies at Harvard University and the author of Abrams' Royal Arts of Africa: Majesty of Form.

729 illustrations, 129 in full color, 81/2 x 11"

About the Author

MONICA BLACKMUN VISONA is Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Kentucky. Her publications focuses upon the arts of the Lagoon Peoples and upon the larger issues of contemporary African art.

 

ROBIN POYNOR is Professor of Art History at the University of Florida. He is a specialist on Yoruba arts in Africa and the New World and is a regular contributor to African Arts.  He has served as both consultant and guest curator for numerous exhibitions.

 

HERBERT M. COLE is Professor Emeritus of Art History at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arts Council of the African Studies Association. He has published numerous books and exhibition catalogues.

 

The closing chapter of this book was written by Michael Harris, Associate Professor of African American Studies at Emory University.  The preface was written by Roland Abiodun, Professor of Art Hisotry at Amherst College, and the introduction was written by Suzanne Preston Blier, Allen Whitehill Clowes Professor of Fine Art and Africam American Studies at Harvard University.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810934485
• ISBN-13: 978-0810934481
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,386,336 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time, January 29, 2001

By A Customer

This is the most well-written, comprehensive, and lucid survey of African art available to date. I am using it as the primary text for my introduction to African art at both Princeton University and York College, CUNY and expect my students to come away with a valuable reference text that will not become outdated to quickly.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guide to understanding and identifying African Art, September 9, 2002

By A Customer

I simply wish that I had this book and/or Dr. Poynor's courses in West African and Central African Art prior to living in Central Africa. Now that I had these courses, I find that this book is less a formal text and more a comprehensive guide to understanding the art forms created in the various regions of Africa by the peoples and cultures. This book is a must for anyone who has a true interest in following this facinating subject. I especially recommend this book to anyone planning to visit or live anywhere in Africa, particularly the Sub-saharan regions.

It brings to all, the reality of such a facinating and prevously skimmed subject, without interjecting personal belief or opinion. All facts in the book are well researched and presented.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great textbook that can be used for reading, January 9, 2002

By A Customer

I took an african arts class with Poynor and he used this book and the slide images. This was a wonderful tool. I usually HATE reading art books but this one read like a recreational book. GREAT illustrations! If u would like to learn more about the culture this is definately the book to get.