New Currents, Ancient Rivers: Contemporary African Artists in a Generation of Change

218 Pages·1992·24.375 MB·English

by  Jean Kennedy

Although modern African literature and music
have become well known in the West, through the
contributions of such famous authors as Chinua
Achebe and Bessie Head and such popular
musicians as King Sunny Ade and Ladysmith
Black Mambazo, the continent’s vast body of
modern visual arts has been little explored.
In New Currents, Ancient Rivers Jean Kennedy
surveys African art of the last forty years, offering
an expansive perspective on the visual arts of the
continent. Just as ancient rivers flow through the
modern African landscape, so too do the rituals
and traditions of the past run deeply through
modern African art. The past is able to coexist in
vibrant synthesis with the present largely because
of a critical constant in African culture, the
acceptance of change.
The culmination of twenty years’ research, New
Currents, Ancient Rivers is the largest survey of
contemporary African art, presenting nearly 150
artists of sub-Saharan Africa, primarily from
Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and
South Africa—painters, sculptors, fiber artists,
printmakers, and filmmakers. As Kennedy
. examines their artistic development, she shows the
many ways the artists meld elements from modern
life, the legacy of colonialism, foreign technology,
the natural world, and the past to create art that
may be divorced from the original purposes of
ritual but that still embraces traditional rhythms.
The author also briefly discusses the influence of
‘the oral and literary traditions on the visual arts.
New Currents, Ancient Rivers is a tribute to the
vitality and diversity of a continent and its peoples.
This progressive book recognizes individual! artists,
many of whom are virtually unknown in Europe
and the United States.
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New Currents, Ancient Rivers

New Currents, Ancient Rivers
Contemporary African Artists
in a Generation of Change
Jean Kennedy
Smithsonian Institution Press
Washington and London
LRC: Library
SOMERSET COLLEGE OF ARTS & TECHNOLOGY
JLLLUL Ui Mik
To the artists of Africa
© 1992 Smithsonian Institution
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States
98896" 995579429,389 25 8 4a
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kennedy, Jean
New currents, ancient rivers : contemporary
African artists in a generation of change /
Jean Kennedy.
Pacem:
Includes bibliographical references (p. )
and index.
ISBN 1-56098-037-0 (cloth). —
ik RyiB ince aiica: Sub-Saharan. 2.)Art,
Modern—20th century—Africa, Sub-Saharan.
3. Artists—Africa, Sub-Saharan—Biography—
History and criticism. I. Title.
N7391.65.K46 199]
709'.67'09045—dc20 90-10314
Jenifer Blakemore, editor
Alan Carter, designer
Color plates printed in Hong Kong. Text and all
other elements printed in the United States of
America.
The paper in this book meets the requirements of
the American National Standard for Permanence
of Paper for Printed Materials Z39.48-1984.
For permission to reproduce illustrations
appearing in this book, please correspond directly
with the author’s daughter, Mimi Wolford. The
Smithsonian Institution Press does not retain
reproduction rights for these illustrations or
maintain a file of addresses for photo sources.
Jean Kennedy died on 30 November 1991,
while this book was still in production. The
Smithsonian Institution Press has made every
effort, with the guidance of Ms. Kennedy’s family
and friends, to complete the book as she would
have wished.
Cover: Bruce Onobrakpeya, Forms in a Landscape,
1973, deep etching, 24 x 18% in. Photograph by
Richard Wolford.
Contents
Illustrations 7 5. Artists of the Shrines: Oshogbo 58
Foreword 10 Susanne Wenger, Adebisi Akanji, Buraimoh Gbadamosi,
Saka, Asiru Olatunde
Introductory Note 11
6. The Spontaneous Spirit: Oshogbo and Ife 67
Preface 12
Ulli Beier, Duro Ladipo, Georgina Beier,
Acknowledgments 14
Jacob Afolabi, Rufus Ogundele, Adebisi Fabunmi,
Muraina Oyelami, Jimoh Buraimoh,
Introduction IS
Twins Seven-Seven (Taiwo Olaniyi Salau), Nike Davies
| Defining the Spirit 19 Samuel Ojo Omonaiye, Ademola Onibonkuta,
Tijani Mayakiri, Yekini Atanda, Senabu Oloyede,
1. Sources for Synthesis Dal Kikelomo Oladepo, Isaac Ojo Fajana,
Yinka Adeyemi, Sangodare, Jinadu Oladepo,
2. Image and Metaphor 23 Gift Orakpo, Middle Art (August Okoye)
Il Responding to the Challenge 27 7. New Dynamics: The West African Coast 87
El Loko, Togo; Oku Ampofo, Kofi Antubam,
3. Bridges: Predecessors in Nigeria 29
Vincent Akwete Kofi, Nii Ahene-La Mettle-Nunoo, and
Ovia Idah, Yemi Bisiri, Ben Enwonwu, E] Anatsui, Ghana; Christian Lattier,
Tayo Aiyegbusi, Lamidi Fakeye, Yusuf Grillo, Ivory Coast; Omar Al Shabu, Liberia;
Solomon Irein Wangboje Momodou Ceesay, Gambia
4. Creating a Tradition: :
lil Crescent in the Hand 95
Vanguard Sculptors, Printmakers, and Painters
of Nigeria 38 8. Artists of the Image and Loom: Senegal DY
Festus Idehen, Ben Osawe, Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae, Ousmane Sembene, Mbor Faye, Alpha W. Diallo,
Agboola Folarin, Uzo Egonu, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Mafaly Sene, Iba Ndaiye, Papa Ibra Tall,
Simon Okeke, C. Uche Okeke, Obiora Udechukwu, Souleye Keita, Bacary Dieme, Ansoumana Diedhiou,
Chike Aniakor, Colette Omogbai, Sokari Douglas Boubacar Coulibaly, Abdoulaye Ndaiye, Ibou Diouf,
Camp, Jimo Akolo, Demas Nwoko, Musa Yola, Amadou Dédé Ly, Cherif Thiam, Maodo Niang,
Akan Edet Anamukot, Sunday Jack Akpan Amadou Seck, Badara Camara, Samba Balde,
Daouda Diouck, Ousmane Faye, Mohamadou Mbaye, Ibanehe Djilatendo, Zaire; Clément-Marie Biazin,
Amadou Ba, Boubacar Goudiaby, Bocar Diong, Central African Republic
Diatta Seck, Amadou Wade Sarr, Mamadou Gaye
12. Sky and Land in Zimbabwe 155
9. Desert Light: Sudan 108
Thomas Mukarobgwa, Charles Fernando, Kinsley
Ahmed Mohammed Shibrain, Ibrahim El Salahi, Sambo
Amir I. M. Nour, Shaigi Rahim, Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq,
13. The Sculptors of Zimbabwe: Artists with an
Mohammad Omer Khalil, Musa Khalifa,
Old Legacy 158
Mohamed Omer Bushara, Salih Abdou Mashamoun,
Mohammed Ahmed Abdulla
Frank McEwen, Sylvester Mubayi, Joseph Ndandarika,
John Takawira, Henry Munyaradzi, Amani,
IV Wax and Gold: Ethiopia 123 Joram Mariga, Nicholas Mukomberanwa, Makiwa Chimoyo,
Boira Mteki, Paul Gwichiri, Bernard Manyandure
10. From a Legacy of Sign and Symbol 125
Haile Gerima, Gebre Kristos Desta, VI Testament 169
Skunder Boghossian, Abdel-Rahmam M. Sheriff,
14. South African Artists Speak For The Voiceless 171
Theodros Tsige Markos, Zerihun Yetemgeta,
Endale Haile Selassie, Acha Debela, Tesfaye Tessema,
Athol Fugard, Julian Motau, Winston Saoli,
Wosene Kosrof, Falaka Armide, Seleshi Feseha,
Cyprian Shilakoe, Lucas Sithole, Sidney Kumalo,
Alemayehou Gabremedhin, Elisabeth Atnafu
Louis Maghubela, Mslaba Dumile Geelboi
Mgxaji Feni, Vumikosi Zulu, Eric Mbatha, John Muafangejo,
V_ Creators of Myth 141 Gavin Jantjes, Tito Zungu
11. Between the Natural and Supernatural 143
Afterword: Confluences 184
Gregory Maloba, Kenya; Sam Ntiro, Elimo Njau,
Notes 186
Tanzania; Louis Mwaniki, Kenya; Athumani Omari
Mwa riko, Tanzania; Samwel Wanjau, Kenya; Bibliography 194
Francis X. Nnaggenda, Uganda; Hezbon Owiti, Kenya; Index 201
Kiure Msangi, Tanzania; Valente Malangatana Ngwenya,
Mozambique; Liyolo Limbé M’Puanga,
6 Contents
Illustrations
Color Plates Ben Osawe, Union 39
Erhabor Emokpae, International Cooperation 40
Yusuf Grillo, Mendicants (detail) Agboola Folarin, Faces at Conference 4]
Erhabor Emokpae, Olokun Uzo Egonu, A Cup of Coffee in Solitude 42
Demas Nwoko, The Adam and Eve Series Uzo Egonu, Stateless People 42
Georgina Beier, Untitled Uzo Egonu, Mending 42
Adebisi Fabunmi, Missionary Activity in West Africa Bruce Onobrakpeya, Man with Two Wives 43
Muraina Oyelami, Newly Weds Bruce Onobrakpeya, Have You Heard? 44
Twins Seven-Seven, Queen Oranmiyan the Mother of Bruce Onobrakpeya, Ekpen Gha Mue Wue Vbudezi 44
All Future Teller Ghosts C. Uche Okeke, The Unknown Brute 47
Samuel Ojo Omonaiye, Wall Hanging Obiora Udechukwu, The Poet and the Muse 48
Sangodare, Festival of the Creator God Obatala (detail) Obiora Udechukwu, Alhaja 49
Middle Art (August Okoye), Painting of the War— Obiora Udechukwu, Stevedores 49
Bombed House Chike Aniakor, Okwe Players 50
Mbor Faye, Portrait I Marabout Colette Omogbai, Woman at the Mirror 50
Boubacar Coulibaly, Meeting of the Masks Sokari Douglas Camp, Church Ede (Decorated Bed for
Skunder Boghossian, Rhonda's Bird Christian Wake) 52
Elisabeth Atnafu, The Year of Love Sokari Douglas Camp, Iriabo (Woman) and Child,
Valente Malangatana, Nude with Flowers Part of Audience Ensemble 53
Louis Maghubela, Untitled Jimo Akolo, Man Hanging from a Tree DB
Demas Nwoko, Ogboni Chief in Abeokuta 54
Demas Nwoko, Figure DS
Figures Musa Yola, Cyclist DS
Akan Edet Anamukot, Untitled 56
Yemi Bisiri, Figure 31 Sunday Jack Akpan, Untitled 57
Ben Enwonwu, Anyanwu (The Awakening) 32 Susanne Wenger, Shrine (detail) 59
Lamidi Fakeye, Epa Mask 33 Susanne Wenger, Shrine for Iya Mapo Do
Yusuf Grillo, Drummers’ Fag 3 Susanne Wenger, Iledi Ogboni House 60
Solomon Wangboje, Male Ego I 36 Susanne Wenger, Untitled 60
Festus Idehen, Sculpture 39 Adebisi Akanji, Untitled 62