An African Journey Through Its Art

Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Publisher Marketing: This book is about a journey; Africa is its destination. It offers exploration, discovery and learning about the continent and its inhabitants. The book provides a vicarious journey to Africa through its history and into the present day. It is an emotional and aesthetic adventure as the travel is through its art. If you plan to travel to Africa and you seek information about the geography, or a country's history and political situation you will find it here. If you want to know about African people and some of their finest creations, this book is the source. If you want to learn about the cultures and the ethnic populations of the various regions of the vast continent, this book is for you. If you relish beautiful art and what it symbolizes this book will sooth your senses and apprise you of the meaning of what you see. African sculptures are images of spirits and humans and animal forms. These are carved with a realistic or naturalistic appearance or may depict idealized powerful believes. African art may represent ancestral deities or may represent their ideas and creeds. The art is used to adorn shrines, to honor the dead or to epitomize the accomplishments of the kings, warriors or distinguished societal members. There are carvings that portray the daily activities of the people and there are sculptures made to bestow needed qualities, such as aiding with the harvest, healing the sick, assisting with fertility or protecting pregnant women. There are statuettes made for ritualistic purposes and be used in celebrations. Most of all, African art is always impressive and lively, endlessly variable and very expressive. It inspired some of the greatest cubist and abstract works of art made by some of the most acclaimed artists like Picasso, Modigliani and Giacometti, among others. "An African Journey Through Its Art" will enlighten the reader with a historical perspective of the countries and ethnic populations' rich cultural heritage. It will enhance the appreciation of the art produced by diverse people who inhabit the continent. Africans have created magnificent art despite enormous challenges of survival. The book provides an enjoyable way to get to know Africa and to enhance the appreciation the best of its people.