African Art South Africa
African art is both ancient and diverse, from the cave paintings of early man to a new generation of innovative artists. Popular themes in African artwork emphasise the dominance of both the human figure and tradition. An example of this can be seen in many representations mothers and children, revealing the high importance of family and the role of women in an African context.
Popular African Art by South African artists includes those by Mauro Chiarla, Wallace Hulley, Selwyn Pekeur, Katherine Ambrose and Frank Ross, amongst others.
African Art
African art reflects the wonderful diversity of the continent, and is an inspired legacy of the jumble of humanity who live, work and dream in the wide open expanses of Africa. Contemporary African artists continue to emulate the traditional themes that have defined the genre over time in a selection of evocative art works.
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The human figure is one of the most enduring subjects of the genre and is expressed in a variety of ways. Some artists choose to emphasise the different cultures, clans and tribes who inhabit the rural, untouched areas of the great African continent, as is evident in works by Danie Marais, Wallace Hulley, Jen Adam, Vanessa Gaye, Steve Kenny and Lucy Wiles.
Others including Mauro Chiarla, Peter Kwangware, Lazarus Ramontseng, Kenneth Tabo and Itai Vangani are more intent on capturing the people hard at work in trades that have changed little over the years - basket weaving, hunting & gathering, collecting firewood and herding cattle and goats - while a host of contemporary African artists, some resident in the townships, prefer to depict the vibrant, noisy, colourful chaos of the populated urban areas.
African Artists influencing Great Masters
Interestingly enough, African art was identified by some of the most influential artists in history as the catalyst for the emergence of the modernist movements. Great masters including Picasso, Gauguin, Von Gogh and Matisse were entranced by the simplistic abstraction of African art and emulated the primitive naivety of the genre.
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Contemporary African artists - Selwyn Pekeur, Katherine Ambrose, Bon Chandiyamba and Billy Molokeng, amongst others - have faithfully followed the longstanding practice of visual abstraction in a breathtaking collection of sought after African art.
Colourful, vibrant and unique to the continent, beautifully crafted works by established and emerging African artists are highly desirable additions to any home or office. Browse the comprehensive collection of African art displayed right here at Fine Art Portfolio, enlarge the paintings that catch your eye, discover more about each artist via the informative artist resumes, and then invest in an authentic African artwork.