If you examine African tribal art closely, you will find it is not something that has been designed just to hang on a wall for the purpose of decoration. In fact, African art is utilitarian in nature that plays an integral role in the daily routine of the various African tribal communities. Both traditional and contemporary African artists take art not simply for art’s sake but as a means of understanding the world in a much better way and living a meaningful life.
There are some basic elements that define the aesthetics of traditional African art forms. Even though at first glance, African art looks simple but as you study it deeper, the complexity of this art form becomes visible.
To make it easy for art lovers to understand the intricacies of the African art forms, art experts have categorized African art into the following five basic elements: Similitude to human structure
African tribal artists always expressed or conveyed their ideas related to reality or spirituality through human or animal figures. The carved figure of a human being or that of any wild animal was an effort made by the artists to relate to the seen and unseen world in which they lived.
Radiant and luminous finish
In most of the African tribal art forms and especially sculptures, the artists give extra importance on developing a lustrously smooth surface. The beautiful hand made sculptures are often embellished with ornamental designs that enhance the shining smooth surface to give the art piece its intrinsic and extrinsic values.
According to African art and culture, any artistic piece with a rough surface and deformities is basically referred to as something ugly and morally flawed.
Representation of youthfulness
In any life cycle be it related to humans or animals, it is the youth stage that represents vitality and fertility. Moreover, a youthful appearance signifies the brighter side of life.
In African tribal art forms, there is no place for a subject that signifies old age, illness or deformity. They celebrate youth primarily. Moreover, in many of the African tribal communities, illness and deformity are regarded as signs of evil.
Reserved demeanour
In most of the original African paintings whether done by the traditional or contemporary artists, the subject person or model is always in complete control of ones self. Looking at the African paintings, one gets a feeling that the subject is expected to behave in a measured and rational way.
Balance and symmetry
African artists both contemporary and traditional give stress on clarity of form and detail along with smoothness of finish. High importance is always given to the kind of material used in the art. This very element is the only one that coincides with the elements of Western art forms.
The traditions of art in Africa differ widely across regions. There are subtle differences between the forms and materials used by artists of different regions. However, these are some popular aesthetic elements that weave a common thread to make it easy to understand the complexity of the various tribal art forms.
In one way or the other, all these five elements of African art highlight the intuitive, religious and aesthetic value of the art forms that are part of the lives of the people across different African regions.