Articles

An Insight into African Art Sculptures

by Quentin Robinson Writer

Today, many renowned African artists are on a center stage and they showcase their masterpieces at various art galleries and displays around the world. Soapstone sculptures and wood carvings are the two centerpieces of the African handicraft. These sculptures represent various figurines with most of them representing people, some representing powerful personalities while some representing human in general. It can be said that all of them are uniquely designed and they signify the exclusive culture of the region from which they belong. These figurines are also made in the form of animals too. The artists who create such masterpieces have inherited these talents from their ancestors who have taken it from their ancestors. Through the passing years, these talents became very sharp and exclusive and so they have found worldwide recognition. These sculptures are mainly used today in home décor and also for the purpose of gifting. They can be given as gifts to anyone be it your boss or your loved ones, they all will cherish having an African sculpture.

African sculptures

Hard Wood Carvings: This is the most common type of sculpture in the region of East Africa. In general, they resemble animal or a human form. These sculptures are more common as wood can be found anywhere. Also, because wood can be easily carved, the designs that are created on these woods by artisans are also complex in comparison to those created on stones. As wood is easily available, the artists can carry the craft work on a frequent basis and because of it these artifacts are found around the world. As the wood is easy to carve, the artists don’t require advanced tools and they do the carving with simple basic tools.

Basically two types of woods are used by artists in making these artifacts, which are the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ wood. As the nature of hard wood is brittle in comparison to soft wood hence, it easily cracks. Because of it, artists have to take extra caution while carving them out. Also, the carving work done on these woods aren’t of high quality. But, people mostly prefer artifacts made of hard wood as it lasts longer and withstand attacks of weather and insects for a longer time than the soft wood.  

Soapstone Sculptures: These are the Kenyan sculptures that are mainly crafted in the Kisii area. Kisii is located in Western Kenya. It is worth knowing that Kisii is also the only region where soapstone is found. The name soapstone is given to it as it contains talc in it which it the soapy feel. The nature of this stone is soft because of which carvings can be done with ease on this stone. 

If you haven’t witnessed the true beauty of these African artifacts till now then its time you should get one!!

Read More: http://www.simbacraftware.com/african-art/sculpture.html


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About Quentin Robinson Junior   Writer

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Joined APSense since, April 3rd, 2013, From callifonia, United States.

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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