Female African Artists

The past and present

The past

• Art form: rock art, metal sculptures and carvings , textiles and weights, masks…

• Purpose: used for spiritual purposes

Women in art?

• Limited information or non existent; record keeping is only a recent enterprise in Africa as traditionally stories were told from generations to generations

• Contrast to European art where the notion of art for beauty as well as story telling was evident in early years

Today

Art is viewed differently today; although art is still created for traditional spiritual beliefs, lots of progress had been made towards using art for story telling, decoration, political agendas, raising awareness and the many other use of arts as is done in the western world…

Still today…

Despite the changes, the number of female African artists in sub-Sahara Africa is still insignificant; only a selected few have the opportunity to present their work to large audiences at home or abroad.

The few…

• Suzanne Ouedraogo: from Burkinafaso in west Africa.

Suzanne O

• Mutilation:

Through her work she presents social issues oppressing the population.

Suzanne presents the subject of female mutilation.

Art by Suzanne

• Vibrant colors; a naked woman hiding her privates, running away

• A male lower extremities portrayed as a monster in pursuit

Mutilation continue…

• A kitchen scene where a chicken looses its head

• A naked female crying at the loss but cannot do a thing to change the situation

Gone…

• Lost of hope, the circumcision has been done.

Frances Ademola

For over 40 years, Frances has been an advocate for African artists, she has been striving to give them a greater exposure. Mostly focused in Ghana where she is from and where she hopes to set up a museum, Frances still works with various artists to put them it the spotlight.

Frances, continue…

• A combination of vibrant colors and happier subjects clearly sets a welcoming tone.

• Her work depicts various daily life activities

African art influence in Modern art and architecture

• Modern artists such as Picasso, Derain, Matisse, Moligliani became enthralled by African art at the start of the 20th C.

The future

• Art in Africa is taking on a new meaning; people are starting to recognize its importance and the power of the message that can be delivered through art.

• With more acceptance of women artists, a few are starting to make their presence known; however there is still a large pool of untapped talent that can only be discovered if further encouraged and if the opportunity is given for exposure.