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Which visual art forms are included in African art?
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African art
Raffia-fiber cloth, made by the Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, mid-20th century; in the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
African art encompasses a diverse range of visual media, particularly within sub-Saharan Africa. While sculpture is a primary component, the field includes a wide variety of forms that often combine aesthetic, functional, and ritual significance.12
Key visual art forms include:
- Sculpture: This is a central tradition, utilizing materials such as wood, copper alloys, iron, ivory, pottery, unfired clay, and stone.13
- Masks: These are highly significant, often serving as consecrated objects imbued with supernatural power and used in performance and ritual contexts.124
- Pottery: Used widely across the continent for both utilitarian purposes and sculptural expression.25
- Textiles and Fabrics: Traditions include weaving with cotton, wool, silk, and raffia, as well as the use of bark cloth, beadwork, and leather.267
- Personal Decoration and Jewelry: The adornment of the human body is a key artistic practice, involving jewelry fashioned from various metals and other materials.12
- Painting and Rock Art: Painting has historically been applied to rock faces, house walls, and human bodies.12
Additionally, African art frequently integrates these media into broader performances that combine music, dance, and dress.1