Known for vibrant colors, a focus on the human form, abstract representations, and experimenting with proportion, African art has a unique history. From ancient sculpture to modern cubism, the symbolism and message of African art has an individual voice unlike any other in the art community. For this reason, African Art Prints are a growing market for home and commercial applications.
Vendors such as allposters.com and art.com offer a wide array of African Art. As allposters.com focuses on paintings as the primary medium, the majority of the pieces offered will be affordable prints. The site is known for having regular sales, and offers a wide variety within any genre. Some excellent examples of African Art available for sale are “Namib” by Leon Wells and “Butterfly Wings” by Anthony Ross. Other art prints were not originally canvas paintings, but paint from other mediums. For example, prints are available of the art found in the Tomb of Nefertiti. Pieces not originally paintings include masterful photographs of the mummy of Merenptah and a traditional mask from Gelede.
Regardless of the merchant, African Art Prints bring vibrant colors into the home or office. The main colors in African Art are oranges, browns, blues, greens, and reds. An excellent example of these joyful colors in play is “Unity” by Monica Stewart. The predominant subject of African artwork is human existence. A large portion of pieces feature one or more women, usually dancing or caring for others. The artwork conveys a sense of motion, exuberance, and community. It is uncommon to see a sole male as the subject, and this is more common in photography than paintings. In the instances where a person is alone in the print, the subject matter usually involves an appeal to God, and the subject is not truly alone, but communing with the unseen.
African art prints are available at many different price points. Smaller prints by lesser known artists start at $5, whereas larger prints of famous pieces may be upwards of $500. Most vendors will also offer the choice to receive the print only, or to have it arrive matted and framed. When selecting the matte and print, the sites allow the consumer to view the finished product to ensure the frame and matte choices are appropriate for the artwork. Some sites also offer the choice to pick a color close to the wall where it will hang to ensure the overall aesthetic appeal.
Other African Art Prints can be purchased through specialty vendors that donate all proceeds to charitable organizations. For example, at millenniumglobalwildlifeproject.com all prints are from artist Zephania Sav Borro. While many typical African colors are used, his subjects are the animals native to the African terrain. The site provides information as to the various charitable organizations benefiting from sales, and focus mainly on wildlife conversation and refugee relief.
Until recently, anything named “African” was only by “Black Africans”. However, in recent years, the art community has decided that Africans of any cultural descent should be included. This has broadened the scope of African art to include that of ancient Egypt and Caucasians who have also lived and worked in Africa. This inclusionary attitude allows for a more complete artistic view of the entire African experience; the modern day laypersons to the ancient ruler are all reflected. With a defining sense of community, joyful colors, and singular voice, it is easy to see why incorporating African Art into a home or office creates an inviting, positive atmosphere