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The Different Types Of African Sculptures

By Elizabeth Watson


Few things can add style to a room quite like an interesting piece of art. A colorful painting or striking statue not only provides a visual focal point to your decor but is also a great conversation starter. If you are looking to invest in art that will surely give your guests something to talk about, you can't go wrong with African sculptures.

For thousands of years, Africans have been sculpting. There is as much variety in style as there is in cultures on the continent. Human figures are common and are usually depicted in an abstract style that has influenced modern artists, including Pablo Picasso. Spiritual themes are popular too and you will also find pieces that are very realistic, often depicting animals like giraffes or elephants.

The most popular medium for Africa's sculptors is wood, which is easy to find, inexpensive and soft enough to carve without having to invest in costly tools. When an artist works with wood that isn't of the best quality, he or she may paint the sculpture, using bright colors. However, many sculptors let the texture and natural colors of the wood become part of the art, only polishing it to give it a smooth, shiny finish.

Another inexpensive and therefore popular medium is clay. However, stone is much more durable and some artists invest in quality, hard stone such as serpentine or granite. One type of stone that is commonly used is soapstone, which is quite soft and easily carved. Another advantage of soapstone is that it is available in a range of colors, including cream, lavender, yellow, red and black.

Traditionally, bone was readily available and was often used to create smaller carvings. The tusks of various animals provide a gorgeous cream-colored material to work with and for many centuries there was a roaring trade in carved elephant tusks. However, today there are laws governing the ivory trade and you should check the local regulations before investing in an ivory carving.

For many non-Africans, it is a surprise to hear that there has been a tradition of working in metal in many parts of the continent even in medieval times. Archaeologists have found metal sculptures as far afield as Benin and the Niger Delta in the north to Mapungubwe in the south. Bronze, copper, gold and silver are some of the metals used to create these pieces, which were usually cast. Today's sculptors often work in steel and instead of casting the pieces, they weld them into shape. Sokari Douglas Camp from Nigeria and Edoardo Villa from South Africa are some of the renowned artists who work in metal.

In the past few decades, sculptors have also turned to recycled materials. These include anything from wire and bottle tops to old tires and plastic shopping bags. Many street artists create quirky pieces depicting animals and birds, people and even household objects. The Ethiopian Elias Sime, the Ugandan Patrick Mulondo, the Ghanaian El Anatsui and the Cameroonian Pascale Marthine Tayou are just some of the sculptors who have made a name for themselves internationally by creating art from trash.

Art galleries around the world sell sculptures made by artists from Africa. These can be a very good investment. If you are only looking for an inexpensive piece that doesn't necessarily have to be completely unique, you will find plenty of choices at any street market in Africa's tourist hotspots.




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