Authentic African or Ethiopian Art by Africa Direct

Posted by africadirect on December 10th, 2020

Africa Direct offers art that one may label African Art of Ethiopian Art.  Which is correct?  It depends!

There are many characteristics that one could name when considering African cultures.  What unifies these cultures is geography.  They all find themselves on the continent of Africa.  Daily believes, cultural values, and other practices, however, are not unified in such a way.  There are many peoples on this large land, and they are not all the same.

African art refers to sculpture, paintings, pottery, rocks, arts, textiles, masks, personal decorations, and jewelry. Authentic African Artis created by people from Africa.  It is non-durable and is perishable – items like wood or plant fiber.  This can make it difficult to maintain without the proper care.  This also adds value and beauty to the piece.  What also adds value, monetary and otherwise, is the significance of the item.  Would it be used in a ceremony?  For good luck?  As a tool?  People want to know!

Elements of African Art: Youthfulness.  African art focuses on youth – healthy figures – male or female, representing vitality, hope, and prosperity.  Fertility works are also common. Human resemblance.  The aim here is to portray a human life, that exists in reality or spirituality.  Assigning human characteristics to a figure isn’t uniquely African, but it is something that is common in art from this continent.  It conveys a symbolism that represents life, death, and other journeys and experiences.  Animals are often captured as artforms as well.

Stands out.  Some might call the work “fluorescent.”  The workmanship is of high quality.  The medium is not to be doubted because natural resources are used to create unique and significant items.  If the item is from Ethiopia, then it is Ethiopian art.  Ethiopian art is African art, but African art is not always Ethiopian art. Geometric patterns.  These patterns speak to a natural understanding of mathematical concepts that are uniquely human yet visible across the planet in biodiverse areas like in shells or flowers.  Does nature inspire man?  Authentic African Arttells us the answer is “Yes!” 

People once misunderstood African art.  Words like “primitive” were thrown around like nobody’s business.  Today, however, people understand the art is special, whether it comes from Ethiopia in specific or Africa in general.