The history of African painting as an art form can perhaps be divided between two distinct periods, namely pre-colonial and post-colonial African painting. Although undocumented this history might have several stages through which African painting had passed. Research on this aspect of African art is not only rare but also limited to studies conducted by European researchers some of which might be Eurocentric in their outlooks and biased against African art in general.
First of all, why painting is important as an art form in any society including in Africa? Let’s start by defining what painting is all about. “painting is a visual art, which is characterized by the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the “matrix” or “support”) The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other implements such as knives, sponges, and airbrushes , may be used.”
What is painting in art good for? “Painting is an important form of visual art, bringing in elements such as drawing, composition, gesture, narration and abstraction….Painting is important because it allows self-expression, encourages creativity and provides a way to communicate emotions and ideas that words sometimes cannot convey.” This is of course a universal definition of the nature and use of painting as an art form. Moreover, there are five purposes for visual art. These are Ceremonial, Artistic Expression, narrative, Functional and Ceremonial. Ceremonial art is made to celebrate or commemorate something important in the culture, in ritual or worship, or in personal life.
The next question that comes to mind is the following: When did African start painting pictures and designs or symbols as art forms? “The origin of African painting and art can be traced back to prehistoric times, with evidence of rock art dating back tens of thousands of years. The rock art found in caves and rock shelters throughout Africa provides a glimpse into the early artistic expression of African societies.” It is surprising to note that the man considered “the father of African visual art is an African-American called Aaron Douglas who defined modern visual language that represented black Americans in a new light.
There have been many studies or researches conducted to date African painting art. “The oldest images scientifically dated are in Namibia (the Apollo 11 caves) from about 24-27,000 years ago. Yet, most experts agree that Africa’s rock art may date to more than 50,000 years ago.” However, the issue of pre-colonial African arts or painting is highly controversial. For most of us pre-colonial means the period before the colonization of Africa. Yet, there are people who consider the pre-colonial period as, “when our indigenous ancestors inhabited the Philippines and the time before the coming of our first colonizers. Arts in this time were for ritual purposes or everyday use only.”
Some recent studies about the oldest form of African arts, including painting speak of “rock art”, that is to say arts done on rock stones and caves. This is also true for the oldest surviving examples of human creativity which were done on rock or shaped from rock. Remains of the rock art discovered in South Africa have been dated from 70,000 to 100,000 years ago. These are the oldest examples ancient African art yet discovered.
Post-colonial African painting and arts in general started by adopting both features of ancient African art as well the influences brought about by colonial forms of art. It is believed that colonialism has profoundly affected or impacted African art by bringing in elements of European artistic traditions. According to one source, “Colonialism profoundly impacted African art introducing new materials and styles which denigrated traditional practices. European artistic traditions were imposed leading to the communication of African art and the emergence of new genres catering to colonial tastes.”
Colonialism had a positive as well as a negative impact on the development of African art, including painting. European missionaries and colonizers were looking at ancient African art as being pagan in form and content and wanted to change it. They did this by encouraging the adoption of European art styles and techniques, leading to the loss of traditional African art forms and techniques. Colonial art in Africa was serving to promote the views, attitudes, philosophies and faiths of Europeans. It generally served as a tool of propaganda and reinforced the dominance of colonizers over African art. In this sense, European art, while taking and using many features of African art such as reflected in the cubist art of Pablo Picasso and Matisse who adopted African wooden and metal masks as their starting point. In this way, European colonialism in Africa had a mixed result, or both positive and negative repercussions.
Post-colonial African painting and art in general continued with the colonial legacy without the colonialists in the sense that African artists found the opportunity to modernize their arts and bring it to the level of development their European counterparts had reached. Postcolonial African art was both adaptive and revolutionary as it adopted to the European and Western influences as well as by using art as a tool of struggle for the preservation and transformation of traditional African art in general. Postcolonial African art is defined as, “the art produced in response to the aftermath of colonial rule, frequently addressing issues of national and cultural identity, race and ethnicity.”
The situation was hover different in African countries that had not experienced colonialism. Ethiopia is of course a classic example of a country that escaped colonial rule and thus man to maintain an autonomous, original and ancient art in general and painting in particular. As a result of this, Ethiopian arts and painting had a specific feature that differentiates it from arts in the rest of Africa while sharing other features.
Art works on stones or rocks are the common features while Ethiopian painting developed unique tools and techniques. Ethiopian traditional painting is characterized by what some critics say is, “ a simplistic, almost cartoonish figures with large , almond-shaped eyes. Colors are usually bright and vivid. Most paintings are religious in nature, often decorating church walls and Bibles.
Nowadays African as well as Ethiopian arts and painting enjoy wide popularity both within the continent and among international art lovers. Ancient African arts attracted increasing attention and enjoy high demands in art markets around the world. The originality and uniqueness of African arts become evident through new researches and writings, there is now a growing and interest in traditional art in particular that so far remained little known. Nowadays, thousands of African arts and artifacts that were stolen and taken to Europe during the colonial era are on display at major European exhibition centers. Parallel to this, there is also a highly lucrative legal or illegal online art market is offering stolen or legally acquired art products. This is the main reason why African governments are now fighting for the return of African and Ethiopian arts stolen during the colonial era. There is also an international movement of artists and intellectuals who are currently a coalition for the return these artifacts and paintings.
The campaign for the return of Ethiopian arts and artifact products is fueled not only by high demand in the art market but also by the rare and precious nature of these products that are believed to rank among the best in the world. However, the reaction from countries that currently possess these works of arts or artifacts can be described to be unenthusiastic or tepid at best or reluctantly cooperative or uncooperative in the worst case.
The British museum is one of the museums in Europe where Ethiopian and African arts products are found. For more than a century and a half, these works have been displayed in these museums. Despite the cordial relations between the respective countries, the issue of the return of those artworks has remained controversial. “The British Museum has long-standing and friendly relations with the National Museum in Addis Ababa and with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in London and in Ethiopia. British museums have long resisted campaigns for the return of artworks, often citing legislation that bans them from disposing of their collections. But the debate has heated up and British Museum said last year it would loan some works from Nigeria to a new museum.”
The struggle for the return of African and Ethiopian arts and painting is bound to continue for various reasons. Africana art in general is a reflection and symbol of African identity, civilization and history. Aesthetically speaking, most African arts and painting are among the best in the world and this is enough reason to keep on fighting for their return to the rightful owners.
BY MULUGETA GUDETA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER 2024
