Coming Into its Own:                 African Contemporary Art

Prehistoric artifacts and cave paintings discovered across the African continent can be counted among mankind's oldest forms of art. In more recent centuries, mask making, weaving, carving, functional craft making, and creative body adornment have characterized varieties of art arising from specific locations on the continent, while remaining less prevalent in others. Coming from one of the planet's most diverse continents, African artists continue to bring their striking range and breadth of art, cultures, and creativities into the modern realm.

Since the early 20th century contemporary art movements have emerged across the African continent, gaining varying degrees of local recognition, international patronage, and scholastic review. The origins of many of these movements can be traced back to individual self-taught artists, artist's collectives, and formalized academic based art schools which are increasingly exposing students to contemporary and global art techniques and concepts. Collectively these developments have lead to a wealth of artistic innovation in the use of materials and styles--frequently applied to subject matter unique to Africa, as well. As a result, contemporary artists of Africa are gaining broad exposure at international art exhibitions and increasingly included among important museum collections.

 

East Africa's Modern Art Movement-

The Ugandan School