There is no standard way of referring to art. It ranges from modern paintings, to photography, sculptures and dates decades back to oil and silk screenings, and popularly; wax paintings. The manner in which people express themselves has not been celebrated enough in Africa. A plethora of creators spent time in more Western and European settings, therefore, some lose their roots, or are unable to achieve pieces that celebrate the Africa that flows in their blood as constant and as loudly as the Nile flows through the North into the Mediterranean. We have succumb to viewing the pieces created by those among us as inadequate or as needing a western feel, instead of emphasizing and putting a stamp on the fact that this is who we are and that this is our culture.
Innovative visionaries in our continent live and breathe creating content. Each day, we look past artists on accessible platforms, but wait for them to be acknowledged by international press before we put them on a pedestal. Captured brilliance deserves to be laminated and published with pride because our culture and creations should not have to be approved by anyone but us. Thus, the title of this article; invoking a healthy outlook on contemporary art. With 54 countries in our continent, there are waves of content for us to blissfully drown in, and not have to consume any other creations.
The multiple tribes and cultures in our nation result in a plethora of social differences. These differences are what make us unique. We possess the ability to create strides of beauty more diverse than most can come up with. These diversifications are a result of beauty as far West as Ghana, up from the North, across central towards the East and Tanzania, and finally in the enclave that is Lesotho, in the South. Artists whose presence we must amplify are the likes of Trevor Stuurman, who started in South Africa and remained true to himself and his art, and finally made it on the international marketing, penetrating the global sphere. Trevor has worked with brands ranging from Conde Nast, the well acclaimed media company that has Vogue and CN Traveller under its belt. His creations and collaborations have been featured in most publications and he has gained a large following from this. Locally, he has worked with the brand Maxhosa, which is also racking up accolades as they go in Africa. Local collaborations among artists must be encouraged for each of our nurturing’s to grow.
@paulboypaul_
Courtesy of Paul Gugulethu
The talent in our mother land is more than abundant. May we continue create and may we soar higher while maintaining African art positivity!
Written By Dille Neenah Molapo
The Tanzanian Times 