2001
152 pp.
53 colour photos, 54 b/w photos
Text language: German
Following World War II and decolonization, African artists have produced an impressive variety of works. This new art of the ancient continent continued as well as changed the old traditions. Yet it also created something completely new, something without precedence either in Africa or the rest of the world. Often these specific genres of art developed in conflict with western culture – first the colonial metropolitan centres, then western culture in general. In spite of the presaged extinction of an independent African art the artists have met the challenges encountered by them with creative and expressive responses.
The present catalogue describes the extensive holdings of the Iwalewa House Bayreuth/Germany. These pieces of African modern visual art were presented to the public because of the 20th anniversary of the Iwalewa Haus. During the last two years the author collected and completed all available information. The result is a comprehensive presentation of the artists and their productive work of the last decades. The volume spans the whole of the eastern and sub-saharan African countries geographically as well as thematically, e.g. east African square paintings (Tingatinga), sculpture in Zimbabwe or recent islamic ornamental calligraphy in the Sudan.
Under these links you will find further publications on collections and exhibitions of the Iwalewa House, Bayreuth / Germany, as well as further descriptions of African verbal and visual art:
