African art as a modern commentary on society

For many years, the words ‘African art’ have brought to mind images of wooden masks and tribal designs, but this is changing in today’s modern world.

Young talented African visual artists are creating art that speaks to the public, with messages focusing on contemporary African and international society.

African art is no longer simply beadwork in tribal designs and slightly unnerving wooden masks, it has become a plethora of photographic, sculptural and painted expressions, telling stories and making poignant social commentary.

Modern African art addresses hard topics

Much of today’s modern African art addresses topics that people wish to avoid broaching, such as Mary Sibande’s work. She creates models of an African woman – her alter-ego Sophie – dressed in altered domestic worker uniforms which are lavish and gigantic, ironically removing the ability to perform domestic chores.

By giving the domestic worker the clothes of Victorian high society, Sibande is addressing the role of the African woman as “maid” and breaking the stereotypes of the role. It is an uncomfortable stereotype that many South Africans do not wish to address, but this contemporary art is telling the story of the “invisible” domestic worker, giving her a voice against a society that would take it away.

It shows the effects of modernisation in Africa

Many up-and-coming African artists create works that showcase how modernisation has affected the African culture, society and landscape. Photographers create landscapes showing how modern pollution has negatively influenced the African landscape, with models dressed in outfits made of the garbage found in and around what were once pristine deserts. They are showing the world how the modern “throw-away lifestyle” has changed the African mindset of reduce and reuse.

Other artists are more subtle, painting portraits of figures using modern implements rather than the traditional African tools for everyday tasks. It may seem that modern tools and comforts are a positive introduction to Africa, but these artists are putting across the message that modernity’s commercialism has become normalised and integrated.

Modern African artists are breaking stereotypes

If you were to type ‘African art’ into Google and hit search, you would find the first page full of scholarly articles on African masks, tribal patterns and indistinct tribesmen in loincloths. Today’s young artists are breaking this stereotype by creating art with modern implements, focusing on what is affecting their society today. They are breaking the stereotype of African art being seen as simply ceramic pottery and cave paintings.

Many of these artists have not, however, excluded their traditional roots from their art but have embraced them and brought them into the 21st century. Some artists use pop art to signify the changes in their country’s society in terms of politics, technology and spirituality. By using modern techniques and using art to speak about difficult topics, these artists are breaking the stereotype usually affiliated with African art.

It tells the story of the African culture

The contemporary African artists use their artwork to tell the story of their culture and society as it is today. They use their pieces to show a different narrative to what their country has traditionally been perceived as, which can sometimes be negative, but is more often than not a positive message.

Artists who use photography as their medium often create collections of photographs showing the modern face of their people, such as fashionable women walking down dusty roads, street adults mingling among shoppers and elderly people wearing modern hip-hop outfits rather than traditional grab. Contemporary African art paints the picture of what the continent has become, a world where traditional masks exist alongside hip-hop, internet cafés and satellite TV.

The art explores the duality of African identity

Modern African art often focuses on both the modernisation of the African continent and the traditions that many people have kept despite this. It shows the world that African artists are not simply recreating the masks and tribal designs of the past, but including these aspects in modern mediums and narratives.

Some art depicts African people dressed in traditional garb but using modern implements, such as mirrors or radios. By doing this, the artist is showing the Western world that the people of the African continent have not become so Westernised as to completely abandon traditional ways, but have embraced aspects of this modernisation. They are exploring the duality of the modern African identity, one of enjoying Western comfort but needing to connect to their traditional roots.

Final thoughts

Modern African art has exploded onto the scene, after many years of going unnoticed by the art world. It is a poignant commentary on modern society that allows viewers to explore the artist’s narrative of how they perceive Africa and its issues. No longer should we view African art as simply tribal masks and beadwork but as a nuanced, expressive art movement.