History of Graphic Design - African Art

African Art

• This detail from an Ethiopian painting with its line drawing, and coloring scheme anticipates many of the techniques used in modern posters. (end of the 17th century).

• The use of graphic design with its broad and bold application of color that reinforces the strength of the carving is a feature of African art which has been described by some researchers as striking. Among the Igbo, such figures are sculpted by men and painted by women.

• Handbuilt pottery made by women, including those from the Kabyle, an older, probably indigenous tradition, dates back 2000 years before the birth of Christ. The vessel depicted here originates from earlier prototypes. To this day, Kabyle women coil and decorate pottery with painted geometric designs for their own household use and for sale.

• The disconnect between the divisions of the painted surface of this mask and the underlying carved form is an aspect of African art that has been described as striking and first entranced Western audiences. This is a mask created by Tsogo peoples of Ogowe River region in Gabon. (Late 19th to early 20th century).