African Painting
To say that African painting is complex and diverse is an understatement. To be ironically referred to the Dark Continent, this region has produced some of the most visually stunning and emotionally moving pieces of art the world has ever seen. Both in the past and in the current African art world, the people of this part of the globe are famous for their thought provoking depictions of their lives. As similar as many paintings may be in subject matter, they are incredibly diverse in theme and composition. Some display the despair of a sometimes chaotic political climate while others offer a refreshing look at life in such a natural, beautiful environment.
One of the most famous forms of African painting is the amazing works that have been found created on rock. The carvings and paintings discovered are considered to be the oldest form of art on the continent. While many of these unique African paintings date to prehistoric times, the tradition lives on to the present day. Many are thought to depictions of sacred gods or deities and are images of creatures that have both human and animal traits and characteristics. To come forward a little in time, other rock paintings show clear examples of the native people’s clashes with European settlers in the time period in which Africa was being colonized. African painting had its beginning in these well composed and artfully rendered rock paintings.
Modern African painting is no less complex and visually enchanting. As with the past artists, modern African painters also depict the ever changing world around them for good or bad. While the choice of materials, techniques, and styles vary widely there is one element that seems to tie many African artists together. That is a common use of iconography. That isn’t to say that there is no discernable difference in artists’ work, there certainly is, only that they seem to work with a common bond.
One example of a modern African painter who has enjoyed much influence during his lifetime is Cheri Samba. This Congo born painter began his career without any formal training and has produced several African paintings which depict life in an area that is torn apart by civil unrest and corruption. The ability of his African art pictures and commentary to so clearly paint a picture of a world constantly interfered with by outside forces, like the Western world, is a remarkable gift to African painting.
Another well known African artist is Zwelethu Mthethwa. His contributions to African painting are often a portrait of life in South Africa. He tends to render his visions in pastel chalks. Having lived through apartheid and the social ramifications of that time period, he paints with the themes of alienation and separatism. Mthethwa’s work is truly a reflection of one of Africa’s darker eras.
From its conception of rock paintings to the present day artists who teach us all a little more about this fascinating region, African art painting is a rich, diverse art form. From strife and unrest has come some of the most remarkable artwork in the world.
Mr. Moyo Ogundipe has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Fine Art from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a Master of Fine Art degree in Painting from The Hoffberger School of Painting, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, USA.
One of Africa’s most celebrated and renowned contemporary Nigerian artists, Mr. Ogundipe has exhibited extensively in Africa, Europe and the USA. His paintings have been described as hypnotic, colorful and densely patterned.
In 1996, Mr. Ogundipe was awarded the Pollock-Krasner Fellowship. And in 2005 he was invited to become a member of Africobra, an organization founded in the 1960s and whose membership comprises of distinguished African-American artists.
By: Maigida africanarts
Have a Brief Information about African Paintings
A Comparison of Art Prints and Reproductions: Learn the Difference
Art Prints Defined
Art prints are identical copies of original works of art, often produced by a photomechanical process. The word "giclee" is used to describe the method of reproducing art using a printing process. Making prints is similar to making a photocopy of a hand-written letter instead of rewriting it. You have a copy of the handwriting, but not an actual hand-written letter. Artists often create prints in limited editions, and sign each painting. Prints are coveted by collectors who wish to invest in art for future profits.
Oil Painting Reproductions Defined
Oil painting reproductions are hand-painted recreations of original works of art, created by someone other than the original artist. A skilled artist analyzes the original and paints a closely matching replica. Reproductions are painted with oil paint on canvas to create an amazing resemblance to originals. Reproductions are often preferred over prints when used in decor because they are usually very affordable.
When searching for art, you might encounter these terms being used interchangeably. For instance, a print might be called a reproduction also. Technically, a print is a reproduction because it is a copy. However, a reproduction might not always mean "print." If you feel the term reproduction is being used to describe a print, you might want to ask questions before buying to be sure you're getting the right type of painting.
In a nutshell, art reproductions are actual paintings, only not by the original artist. Prints are copies of the original work. If you want real paintings without a high investment, reproductions provide both. If you're looking to invest for future profits or to build a collection, and are unable to buy an original, prints are the next best thing.
Add Class to Your Office Decor with an Art Reproduction
Enhance Office Waiting Areas
Use artwork throughout your office waiting area to enhance your decor. Paintings can be matched with chairs, couches, tables, lamps and carpeting to create the mood you want. If you desire a cheerful atmosphere, consider using colorful paintings of animals or landscapes. For a dramatic effect, use old-fashioned portraits of people or paintings of serious scenes with darker color patterns.
Create an Office Theme
You can also use painting reproductions to build a theme for your office. For example, if your office is related to finance, paintings depicting a financial theme will make a great addition to your decor. Another example is to hang cheerful, lifelike paintings of children in a pediatric office. Or, a travel agency might use paintings of fascinating places around the world. There are paintings to create almost any theme.
Inspire Your Employees
Art reproductions can also be used to inspire your employees as they work. Hang inspirational works of art near employee desks and in break rooms. Paintings of relaxing scenes might be used to help reduce stress in the workplace. For example, the gorgeous "Fishing in Spring" painting by Vincent van Gogh will give your employees a visual getaway at a glance. "Landscape with a Rainbow" by Peter Paul Rubens offers a peek into a faraway land of beauty. Your employees will enjoy working in a motivational environment.
Build a Reputation
Decorating your office with art reproductions will give it the look and feel of a high-class work environment. Your clients and business associates will assume you spent a fortune decorating your office when you really didn't. Art reproductions make this possible because they usually cost so little while their original counterparts might cost thousands of dollars. This enables you to have a professional office decor while also saving money.
Artwork in the office can add tremendously to your decor. You can use it to create the colors and themes you want, and build an atmosphere your clients will appreciate.
Design and Branding Trends: Olympic Games
Over the years of the modern Olympic era we have witnessed design take a forefront in the planning and execution of the event. It has seemingly gone from a casual, low key sporting event, with each venue taking their turn hosting, into a full scale media orgy of Superbowl proportions.
Cities have good reason to want to hold one of the the world's greatest sporting events, with the potential economy boost, infrastructure developments and revitalized international attention, but for many cities hosting the Olympic games has been not always been a great success -- in 1984 Los Angeles was the only city to make a bid for the games due to the massive cost overruns during the Montreal Games.
With the enormous costs that cities face to hold the games, more energy, and money, is being focused on branding in hopes at creating a memorable and rewarding event. Host countries now reach out to the best designers, architects, and artist, to create a spectacle the world will never forget, and the one symbol that will be plastered on the streets, merchandise, and computer and television screens across the globe: the logo. And while most designs have stuck close to the blue, yellow, black, green and red of the Olympic colors, we have begun to see new colors emerge from the more recent games, including the first logo to come in multiple colors, which will be seen in 2012.
Today were taking look at the Summer Olympic logos from 1896 to 2012 London along with some noteworthy facts from each games and palette inspiration from some of the more colorful posters and logos. For more info about each year of the Olympics, click on the corresponding image.
By Evad
Classic Colors: Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau was an international art movement during the late 1800's that focused on decorative arts such as glass work, interior design and jewelery, along with other departures from tradition in design, painting and sculpture. The movement was characterized by an elaborate ornate style of flowing curvilinear forms that frequently depicted leaves and flowers.
The book-cover by Arthur Mackmurdo for Wren's City Churches (1883) is often cited as the first realization of Art Nouveau |
Key artist in the movement included: Gustav Klimt, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Otto Wagner, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Stanisław Wyspiański.
Although Art Nouveau took on distinctly localized tendencies as its geographic spread increased some general characteristics are indicative of the form. A description published in Pan magazine of Hermann Obrist's wall-hanging Cyclamen (1894) described it as "sudden violent curves generated by the crack of a whip", and this description became well-known during the early spread of Art Nouveau. Subsequently, not only did the work itself become better-known as The Whiplash, but the term "whiplash" is frequently applied to the characteristic curves employed by Art Nouveau artists. Such decorative "whiplash" motifs, formed by dynamic, undulating, and flowing lines in a syncopated rhythm, are found throughout the architecture, painting, sculpture and other forms of Art Nouveau design.
By Evad
Spittelau District Heating Plant Vienna, Austria
Photo by loungerie
Being an environmentalist, Friedensreich originally refused the offer to redesign the exteroir of the Spittelau district heating plant, but when it was promised that the plant would be equipped with the most modern emission-purification technology, and that 60000 apartments would be heated whose emissions would otherwise be a further source of pollution, Hundertwasser agreed to do the design.
Hundertwasser Haus Vienna
The Vienna house features undulating floors, a roof covered with earth and grass, and large trees growing from inside the rooms, with limbs extending from windows. Hundertwasser took no payment for the design of the house, declaring that it was worth it, to prevent something ugly from going up in its place.
Within the house there are 52 apartments, four offices, 16 private terraces and three communal terraces, and a total of 250 trees and bushes. The Hundertwasser House is one of Austria's most visited buildings and has become part of Austria's cultural heritage.
Photo By Antoni
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