The Functions of African Art

The Functions of African Art

Image: Male Nkigi Ghost Figure
Size in cm: 58 x 12 x 14
Weight: 200gr.
Origin: Ghana

For the most part works of art were created by several tribal artists working according to tradition. Yet, in spite of all his restrictions, the African artist managed to express his own imagination and technique. If new technique proved be good, it became part or ever growing tradition.

Much of the world's art is religious. So too is African art. Ancestor worship, spirits, magic, and other aspects of the religion of African tribes is reflected in the art. Art was also created for ceremonies of marriage, for funerals, and for the festive celebrations of people.

We in the West can value a work of art for its beauty alone. But in Africa every line, every form, and every arrangement of shapes on a work of art has a meaning. An African sculptor seldom creates art just for the pleasure of doing so, just for the purpose of creation something beautiful. Nearly everything has a function or purpose.

Statutes are carved to honor ancestors, kings, and gods. Masks are created for festive occasions. Jewelry, trinkets, and beads are sometimes used to indicate wealth, growing up, authority, or marriage. Guardian figures are fastened to coffins to invite good spirits to protect the dead and to chase away evil demons. Combs, spoons, bowls, stools, and other useful items are carved to make them decorative. But an object of art is always meant to be useful first and beautiful only second.

The use of masks was an important part of the spirit world that existed in the lives of the African people. They were used at initiations, for example, when a boy was accepted as an adult hunter. Their main purpose was to scare away evil intruders.

Among the masks most widely admired, at least by people in the Western world, are those of the Bambara of the Sudan region. They have graceful lines and a smooth finish, which show the craftsmanship of the artists. Sometimes they are covered with feathers or other decorations. Often worn on top of the head instead of over the face, the designs of the masks are usually based on the horns of an animal, reaching heavenward.

Art galleries in KwaZulu-Natal

Art galleries in KwaZulu-Natal

Source: South African Info

AFRICAN ART CENTRE
94 Florida Road, Durban
Found in the centre of Durban, the African Art Centre exhibits the work of both young and established black artists, working in contemporary and traditional styles. There is a strong representation of printmaking, beadwork, woodwork, sculpture, textiles and ceramics.
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ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE
22 Sutton Cresent, Morningside, Durban
This non-profit gallery often hosts travelling shows with a Gallic bias. It also supports work by local artists.
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ANDREW WALFORD SHONGWENI POTTERY GALLERY
Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal
Internationally renowned Andrew Walford's hilltop studio and gallery is situated in indigenous bush overlooking the Shongweni Dam and Nature Reserve. His stoneware and porcelain is inspired by nature. By appointment only.
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ARTSPACE DURBAN
3 Millar Road, Stamford Hill, Durban
ArtSpace Durban offers a contemporary visual arts gallery adjacent to and in collaboration with dedicated artists studio spaces. ArtSpace offers exhibition, marketing, sales, promotion and venue hire facilities to both artists and those interested in developing the contemporary visual arts by way of organisations or project development. ASD offers a professional artists agency function focused on networking, collaborative commissions and large-scale public and private sector partnerships and projects.
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BAT CENTRE
45 Maritime Place, Small Craft Harbour, Durban
This non-profit centre, originating from a grant by the Bartel Arts Trust, exhibits temporary shows by young, mainly black artists and craftspeople. It encourages first-timers in the Democratic Gallery and more established artists in the Menzi Mchunu Gallery. Housed in a converted wharfside building, it has a café and overlooks the harbour. It is also a popular venue for music gigs.
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CARNEGIE ART GALLERY
Old Library Building, Scott Street, Newcastle
Lying in the centre of Newcastle, this municipal gallery boasts a small but rich permanent collection of South African contemporary art. A collecting policy built around the theme of landscape and a particular focus on the art and craft of the Newcastle region give the collection coherence.
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DURBAN ART GALLERY
Second floor, City Hall, Smith Street, Durban
Housed in the Durban City Hall, this municipal gallery has a permanent collection specialising in Victorian painting and South African contemporary art. The bulk of the European collection was donated in 1920 and includes British, French and Dutch paintings, objets d'art such as French and Chinese ceramics, early glass vases by Lalique and bronzes by Rodin. The collection focus is now largely concentrated on works that reflect the rich multi-cultural diversity of Durban and South Africa. The gallery hosts a wide range of travelling shows of national and international interest.
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DURBAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ART GALLERY
Library Block, Durban Institute of Technology, 51 Mansfield Road, Berea, Durban
Established to bring art to the student body of the Durban Institute of Technology (formerly Technikon Natal), this educational gallery focuses on student work and travelling exhibitions. It has a permanent collection of South African contemporary art with a special focus on KZN artists such as Andrew Verster, Clive van den Berg and Bronwen Findlay.
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EMPANGENI ART AND CULTURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Turnbill Street, Empangeni
Non-profit gallery with a permanent collection and rotating exhibitions. The Empangeni museum is situated in the Old Town Hall erected by the sugar farmers of the town in 1916. Extensively renovated in 1995 it was reopened as a museum in April 1996. It houses a representative collection of contemporary art from KwaZulu-Natal including works by Andrew Verster, Trevor Makoba, Dennis Purvis, Andries Botha, Gert Swart, Raphael Magwaza, Diamond Bozas, Bonnie Ntshali and Nesta Nala.
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IMBIZO GALLERY
Shop 7A, Ballito Lifestyle Centre, Ballito
(032) 946 1937
The Imbizo Gallery, located in beautiful Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, features paintings by leading artists in a wide variety of styles. The Gallery is also home to a superb collection of bronzes and pots. Check the website for news of exhibitions.
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JACK HEATH ART GALLERY
Fine Art Department, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg
(033) 260 5170
Based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the gallery's collection focuses on contemporary South African art, particularly graphic prints and ceramics. It also includes a few fine examples of European art. The gallery frequently holds exhibitions by Masters students and contemporary KZN artists.

KIZO ART CONSULTANTS AND ART GALLERY
Shop G350, Palm Boulevard, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga, Durban
(031) 566 4324
The Kizo Art Gallery is owned by Craig and Barbra Mark, who have more than 20 years of experience in the South African art industry. They have coordinated exhibitions are over the world, including in the USA, the United Kingdom, India, Switzerland, and at the United Nations. The gallery plays an active role in arts awareness programmes. Kizo is also the founder and coordinator of The Heritage Arts Festival, the premier arts festival in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition, in a world first, it is also behind 2010 Fine Art, which is an art collection officially endorsed by Fifa to celebrate the 2010 World Cup..

KZNSA GALLERY
166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, Durban
This non-profit gallery services the members of the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts. Housed in a custom-designed building by an award-winning architect, it has a regular exhibition schedule showing work of established artists of provincial, national and international reputation working within a contemporary arts framework. The gallery also supports younger up-and-coming artists and is involved in community outreach initiatives.
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MARGATE MUNICIPAL ART MUSEUM
Address: Civic Centre, Dan Pienaar Square, Margate
(039) 688 2000
This municipal gallery has a permanent collection of contemporary South African art and also hosts temporary exhibitions. Focusing mainly on two-dimensional work with pieces by Dennis Purvis, Tinus de Jonge and Andrew Verster, the collection also has a small ceramics section including works by Ian Calder and Jonothan Keep.

TAMASA GALLERY
36 Overport Drive, Berea, Durban
(031) 207 1223
A small commercial gallery, Tamasa exhibits a broad variety of contemporary KZN artists.

TATHAM ART GALLERY
Corner Longmarket Street and Chief Albert Luthuli (Commercial) Road, Pietermaritzburg
Housed in the former Supreme Court building in Pietermaritzburg, the Tatham collection was initiated in 1904 with donations of Victorian art. Supplemented in 1923 by a collection of glassware, porcelain and Oriental rugs as well as 19th and early 20th century French and British art works, the collection has grown to include Degas, Renoir, members of the Bloomsbury group, Picasso, Matisse and Hockney. The current collection focus is on creating a historically representative and contemporary collection of work by KwaZulu-Natal artists, and a programme of temporary exhibitions ensures public exposure to a range of travelling and locally curated exhibitions.
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