Why is modern African art important?

Art can be a fickle industry, with popularity for some styles booming and others waning in one breath.

However, there are some movements which we should sit up and take notice of in the art world, one of these being modern African art.

Poignant passion

Over the years, African art has undergone a massive transformation, both by artists and in the eyes of the Western world. This is because it shows a deep-seated passion for the issues they are experiencing in their countries and across the continent in general.

The art created by young African artists today explore very real issues, such as tyrannical leaders and serious environmental issues. Young African artists are creating pieces that cast a critical eye to their surroundings and provide works that are activism-fuelled. It is this electric passion which makes modern African art so important and impactful on those who view it.

Inherent diversity of materials

The sheer vastness and variety of the African continent ensure that the art which comes from it is inherently diverse, not only in the topic but in materials used to create it. The materials available to the local and diaspora artists are unique and varied, including such options as Isishweshwe materials and Malian cloth.

Many of the young African artists of today utilise materials native to their countries when creating their pieces. Their work combines the aesthetics of their local area with the social commentary of the artist themselves. Some even use the litter discarded in the landscapes of their country to create their pieces. Using this litter showcases how the modernisation of Africa has affected the environment.

The commercial value

Speaking of the commercial, monetary value of art may seem shallow but the rise in the commercial value of modern African art makes it an important art movement. It has previously been seen as curios and tourist trinkets, but African art is now considered to be one of the most popular art forms in the modern art sphere.

Another aspect of commercial value that contributes to the importance of modern African art is the fact that the interest is not only from international buyers but local ones too. Prior to this, local art collectors and investors had not shown much interest in supporting local artists but, due to the increased interest from international players and the recent opening of the Zeitz MOCAA and other institutions, the local interest in African art has increased, as has the sales of this art.

Culture is not cast aside

Some Western artists create pieces that include nothing of their culture, but African artists never shy away from adding elements of their culture and ancestry to their pieces. This addition of culture into their art means that the rest of the world is able to see African culture through the eyes of the artist.

Contemporary African artists embrace their culture fully, both good and bad, and use this as part of the message of their work. By doing so, the art allows the viewer to experience the culture of a country from the viewpoint of the artist himself, while still allowing for a unique interpretation. It also teaches younger generations about the issues that many African countries are facing.

It shows how Africa has coped with modernisation

As mentioned earlier, some contemporary African artists use litter or debris found in their country’s landscape to make their pieces, such as Fabrice Monteiro’s The Prophecy series. Monteiro’s work focuses on how the introduction of modern life has caused natural African landscapes to change and become wastelands.

Afrofuturism is the term coined for the contemporary African art movement, and many of the Afrofuturist artists showcase African people in science-fiction-esque settings. This again shows the viewer how the African people have embraced and coped with the introduction of technology into African countries. Much of Afrofuturism art depicts Africa as the hub of the technological future, imagining a positive change for the country in years to come.

Highlighting social responsibility

Young African artists are concerned with the socio-political issues of their country and use their art to highlight this. Their outspokenness regarding these issues makes modern African art important as it can help to implement positive social change.

However, highlighting the corruption in their countries does come with a price, as Kudzanai Chiurai found out when he was exiled from Zimbabwe for a less-than-flattering portrait of then-president Robert Mugabe. Much of the art being created by contemporary African artists is brutally honest about the issues in their countries and highlights the social responsibility not only of those living there but also of the viewers of the art.

Conclusion

Modern African art is changing the traditional view of the world and subverting the way art collectors see African art. It is an art world revolution that is worth watching and investing in, allowing the Western world to see African through the eyes of those living on the continent. African artists have long since had a voice that needed to be heard and now we are finally able to discover their stories.