1. West African Art

2. West African Art Emphasizes… Sculpture and the Human Form Functionality – Art as a component of music, dance, ritual, social life. Anthropomorphism - the attribution of human characteristics to animals, gods or non-living things. Zoomorphism – the attribution of animal characteristics to humans, gods or non-living things. Nonlinear scaling – patterns of larger design repeated in details

3. Motif 1.A recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., esp. in a literary, artistic, or musical work. Examples: “The motif of the victorious underdog in American literature.” “The motif of the Good Shepard in Christian Art.” 2. A distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design.

4. Abstract vs. Realistic Realistic/Representational: appearing true to life according to the way we see nature Abstract: does not represent natural forms; may look distorted

5. General Art Vocabulary Medium/ Media The materials used to create the image Typical African media: Wood, ivory, stone, metal, leather, clay Proportion The comparative size of different elements within a composition Symmetry Correspondence of elements on opposite sides of a composition.

6. Yoruba Ram’s Head Mask Nigeria 17 th Century

7. Divination Cup 19 th Century Palm Nuts cast into cup Used by Yoruba priest for prophecy

8. Divination Cup 19 th Century Palm Nuts cast into cup Used by Yoruba priest for prophecy

9. Yoruba Vessel Nigeria 17 th Century

10. Veranda Post of Mounted Warrior and Kneeling Woman

11. Benin Bronze Plaque Depicting Chieftain Flanked by Warriors 14 th – 16 th Century West Africa -- Benin

12. Benin Bronze Plaque Depicting Chieftain Flanked by Warriors -- detail

13. Compare: Qaddafi with Female Bodyguards, Western Diplomat

14. Compare: Poster “Triumph of Lenin” 1933

15. Comparison – Poster of Chairman Mao with Peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America

16. Ceremonial Sword

17. Yoruba Bracelet

18. Yoruba King, 15 th Century, Nigeria

19. Art Vocabulary Abstraction Medium Shape Line Color Texture Stasis/Dynamism Elements INTENT Motif Gaze Focal Point