African Art Recommendations - For all ages

BOOKS for ADULTS

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A History of Art in Africa

by Monica Blackmun Visona
Harry N. Abrams, 2001

This large volume examines ancient African art, architecture and arts of daily life and works by African artists and artists of African descent. It also hopes to present the diversity of social and political situations through the arts.

African Art

by William R Rea
Facts on File Inc., 1996

Using a timeline approach, Rea outlines the history of African Art. Beginning in 1700 B.C. when the first cultural artifacts were made in Tanzania through present when artists find a market for their work and begin to exhibit.

African Art

by Duncan Clarke
Crescent Books, 1995

Divided in chapters highlighting the five regions of Africa, Clarke displays large colorful photographs of artifacts, masks, tapestries and people.

African Rock Art

by David Coulson and Alec Campbell
Harry N. Abrams, 2001

Relying heavily on visual imagery, Coulson and Campbell present a simple book that covers as much rock art as possible without dwelling on technical discussions of chronologies, art styles, and artistic intentions. Vibrant large and small photos and illustrations complete this resource.

An Anthology of African Art: The Twentieth Century

by N’Gone Fall and Jean Loup Pivin
Distributed Art Publishers, 2002

Fall and Pivin strive to present contemporary African art simply by portraying the continent’s present reality. This hefty edition contains many vivid illustrations and extensive text.

Art and Craft in Africa: Everyday Life Ritual Court Art

by Laure Meyer
Terrail, 1995

Meyer highlights the utility and beauty of African tools and defines the everyday needs which these objects answered. She focuses on objects both of the court and of the people.

Contemporary African Art

by Sidney Littlefield Kasfir
Thames and Hudson, 2000

Contemporary African Art focuses on a limited time period (1950s to the 1990s) and a broader artistic geography. It is also centralized on the artist and the process of artmaking

Great Works of African Art

by Nathaniel Harris
Bridgeman Art Collection, 1996

This title focuses on African art in the large area of western and central Africa; the rain-forest and the savana woodlands. It highlights wood-carvings and bronze sculptures.

Kilengi: African Art from the Bareiss Family Collection

by Christopher D Roy
University of Washington Press, 1999

This resource contains photographs of the collection of African tribal art which Walter Bareiss has put together over the last fifteen years. The main focus of the collection is located in East Africa.

The Art of African Masks; Exploring Cultural Traditions

by Carol Finley
Lerner Publications Company, 1999

This title explores the function and creation of masks in different cultures and regions of Africa. It includes large color photos of African masks and smaller photos of the African people.

KIDS BOOKS

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African Animal Through Africa Eyes

by J. Messner
1971

This book discusses the religious and practical significance of animal as they appear in the artifacts, rock paintings and carvings, and legends of ancient Africa.

MULTIMEDIA

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African Art

by Public Media Home Video.
1995

This video introduces noted experts who explain the importance of reappraising African art within its own cultural context.

African Museum of Art National Museum of African Art

by Field Trip
MediaPro, 1998

This children’s video highlights the functionality of African art through weaving, music, and sculpture.

MUSIC

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Buy Africa

by Fela
M.I.L Multimedi, 1997

This recording is a collection of popular and jazz music from Nigeria.

Dreamland World Lullabies and Soothing Songs

by Putumayo World Music.
2003

This recording includes the song, “Thula Mama” from South Africa.

Four Legged Tales Animal Stories from Here and Away

by Laura Simms
Lyrichord, 1998

This recording includes the tales, “Rabbit and Lion” from Zimbabwe and “Monkey and Frog” from West Aftrica.

The Very Best of Manu Dibango Afrosoul Jazz

by Manu Dibango
Manteca World Music, 2000

This recording is a collection of African jazz and dance music by saxophonist, Manu Dibango

World Playground: A musical adventure for kids

by Putumayo World
2000

This recording includes the song, “Zichronot mAfrica = Memories of Africa” by Shlomo Gronich and the Sheba Choir.

WEBSITES

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Africa for Kids: Make a Mask
http://pbskids.org/africa/mask/index.html

This PBS site invites children to explore African culture and the significance and art of mask making.

African-American History Through the Arts
http://cghs.dade.k12.fl.us/african-american/index.htm

African-American History Through the Arts presented by Coral Gables Senior High School

The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/department.asp

Museum for African Art Queens, NY
http://www.africanart.org/

National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian
http://www.nmafa.si.edu/