The Significance of African Artistic Power Masks

by Digital Solution Expert Digital Solution Expert

African art has value as entertainment where some have political or ideological significance; some are influential in a ritual context, while others have artistic value. More often than not, an African art work combines all of these elements into creating an excellent piece.

Rather than the rule, the concept of art that means something other than skill would be an exception in any African language. This is because of historical conditions under which European cultures arrived at their concept of art and not due to any inborn limitation of African culture.

Usually, African art pieces are elaborately carved in precious materials, including gold, silver, turquoise, quartz, and diamond, reflecting the presence of the class, style, and uniqueness with wonderful craftsmanship.

The Characteristics of African Art

Though African art has several characteristics of its own, a few of them are mentioned below:

African art includes creative expressionism over realism,

It has the prevalence of images and sculptures of the human figure,

In African art, the focus is more significant on the sculptures,

African art carry abstract themes and representations,

There is a blend of visual and performance arts, in the case of masks.

When it comes to traditional African art, the wooden power masks are featured heavily and created to represent human, animal, or mythical creatures. Moreover, they are also used for ceremonial purposes.

The Importance of Power Masks

African power masks are the most admired and popular African pieces of art. The artistry of the African mask is undeniable, but it has a much deeper meaning for the people who create them. Generally, the mask is a physical mechanism to initiate change where a person who wears it takes on an entirely new person.

The word 'power' is gradually becoming the marketing idea for African objects, where the bold abstract designs influence the style that makes the African culture refresh tradition. Well, now you can find them at a museum gallery or even shop from the mask collections to get yours.

In performance with the belief system, African objects obtained their 'power' through the practices of rites, rituals, and ceremonies.

People had to offer visual descriptions of the object that were missing before the arrival of computers. However, now with the power masks, you can see for yourself as they are right in front of you.

African power masks can be seen as a part of a ceremonial costume

Obtaining something like an African art object is fun and exciting, where you can have informed research and become an expert yourself. Furthermore, these power masks help to represent the ancestor's spirits or control the good and evil forces in the community in religious and social events.

During the dance performance as they come to life, possessed by their spirit and are enhanced by the occasion's music, color, and atmosphere.

The bond with nature and spirit world is significant to many tribal cultures, where the human and animal features are combined to unite man with his natural environment. Thus, through the ages, these power masks have always been used to express this relationship.