"The reason why scholars can effectively differentiate one ancient society from the other is because of outstanding features. One of these would be the identifiable art styles that are reflective of cultural, religious and political elements at the time."
Throughout Africa, there are well over 1,000 distinct languages, making it the most linguistically varied continent. English, French, and Portuguese were introduced during the colonial period and remain in wide usage today. Culture refers to the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, behavior, and learning that transmits knowledge to succeeding generations. In Africa, the arts, and not the sciences, are our primary window into who and what we are as humans.
There are 5 elements of African art that are used to describe the aesthetics. Yet African art is so simple and complex at the same time that the elements can't capture its real meaning and purpose. But people need a way to classify and define art and so have narrowed the basic elements of African art to the following:
1. Resemblance to a human figure for purpose of conveying ideas.
2. Luminosity representing shiny and unflawed skin.
3. Youthfulness representing vitality and fertility.
4. Reserved demeanor representing a person in control.
5. Balance and proportion through material choices.
The last element which includes balance and proportion and material choices, is probably the only element that coincides with Western art elements. The other four elements are used to describe the arts intuitive, religious and aesthetic value to the peoples of the varying African regions. The 5 elements of African art define those qualities which Africans imbued in the pieces in an effort to relate to the seen and unseen world in which they lived.
African art have not always been appreciated by Westerners, but that has dramatically changed. The appreciation has come about with the understanding that African art is not just something created to be hung on a wall and viewed from a distance. African art is utilitarian and an integral part of daily life. The most common objects have meaning and purpose which turns them into art. It's not art for art's sake, but rather art for the purpose of living a deeper and more meaningful life with a greater understanding of the world.
These concepts underlying African art are what give the art its intrinsic and extrinsic values. There are many regions in Africa and each region has produced its own different art that reflects regional, historical, cultural and religious values and beliefs. African art is so tied to people's everyday life that some art is actually embedded in the very ground they walk upon.
African art reflects and defines the function and style of different pieces of artwork. African art is varied and includes masks, sculptures, dolls, bowls, jewelry and many other forms. African regional art reflects a particular area's culture by making use of local materials. For example, in Central Africa the arts often represent time and symbolic rites of passage.
In Eastern Africa, the elements of African art include a combination of African, Western and Middle East influences. Status within a group is reflected in the elaborateness of objects used on a daily basis. Northern African art is a rich tapestry of preserved rock paintings, Islamic art and nomadic tribal objects. Western African art includes lost wax castings in bronze, cooper and brass. In Southern Africa, art is almost always everyday objects rather than masks and sculptures.
Trying to describe the 5 elements of African art in a few sentences is like trying to describe the universe in a paragraph. Though art differs by region in its forms and materials, the aesthetic elements provide common ground for understanding the complexity of the art. In Africa, art is intended to portray ideas, beliefs, status and workmanship.
Sources: All About African Art.com, Identifiable Art Styles of Ancient Africa, Rome, Egypt, Greece | Art History for Kids Junior Scholars Edition | Children's Art Books