Degree Program
Undergraduate
Major
Biology
Abstract
“If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.” – Michael Crichton
Studying history provides insight and explanations for what is present in today’s society. Colonization is not the only piece of Africa’s history, but it is a major contributor. Studying the history of Africa, pre and post colonialism, provides explanations for how Africa arrived at its present and where it is headed in the future. Colonization had a major impact on Africa’s culture and history, including contemporary African art. Contemporary African art, including description, materials, subjects, and purpose, were greatly influenced by the culture of the European countries that colonized Africa. A brief history of the colonization of Africa will be described, use of “tribal” and “neo- primitivism” descriptions with be explained, and contemporary African art will be defined. African art from three specific countries, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, will be discussed and ultimately, the impact of colonization on contemporary African art will be explained. Just as Michael Crichton eluded, studying contemporary African art, without the understanding the impact colonization had on it, would be ignoring its history and relevance.
Start Date
12-2-2017 9:00 AM
End Date
12-2-2017 10:20 AM
Included in
Impact of Colonialism on Contemporary African Art
“If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.” – Michael Crichton
Studying history provides insight and explanations for what is present in today’s society. Colonization is not the only piece of Africa’s history, but it is a major contributor. Studying the history of Africa, pre and post colonialism, provides explanations for how Africa arrived at its present and where it is headed in the future. Colonization had a major impact on Africa’s culture and history, including contemporary African art. Contemporary African art, including description, materials, subjects, and purpose, were greatly influenced by the culture of the European countries that colonized Africa. A brief history of the colonization of Africa will be described, use of “tribal” and “neo- primitivism” descriptions with be explained, and contemporary African art will be defined. African art from three specific countries, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, will be discussed and ultimately, the impact of colonization on contemporary African art will be explained. Just as Michael Crichton eluded, studying contemporary African art, without the understanding the impact colonization had on it, would be ignoring its history and relevance.