One of the cheapest ways of adding a special decorative touch to your home is with the use of African wildlife art. This genre covers a wide range of media, from photo prints of an African safari, decorative wooden carved animal figures, to original paintings from African tribesmen. Wildlife art consists of more than just prints or paintings of the large animals of the Serengeti plains.
Animals feature heavily in African art forms and are often represented in ceremonial masks. Quite commonly the features of animals are extended and distorted, and are mixed with human features. Masks such as these are often used in rituals which take place before a hunt and serve to bring man and beast together, and to appease to spirits and to bring luck and ensure a successful hunt. Some of the distortions are used to highlight a particular ability or trait of an animal, which is used in storytelling and educational parables to teach the younger generation.
The wearing an animal masks is believed to convey some of the animal’s most desirable characteristics; the ferocity of the lion, the speed of an antelope or the protection of the buffalo.
Animal masks can be highly decorative and are one of the most common African art forms to be used to adorn the walls in the western world.
African wildlife art often takes the form of wall hangings or is used in elaborate textiles. Some quite detailed artwork can be found in rugs and wall hangings, which are often are used to depict scenes from history or recount great changes which have taken place over time. Animals are often used as symbols for higher concepts, or simply to convey quite simple messages such as “kill big animal with spear.”
Some of the most striking examples of African art, which can be used to good effect in the home, are beautifully carved ornate animal sculptures. Often carved from a single piece of wood, these sculptures cover the full range of animals found on the African continent. Sculptures are usually made from wood as it is and easy to sculpt and an easy resource to find, although soapstone carvings are also reasonably common.
For those not wishing to fully redesign a room to an African theme, African wildlife art can be used to compliment other décor in the house. When looking for pieces, try to select items which have been made in Africa rather than homemade copies. Many suppliers can demonstrate the provenance of a piece and it will help to preserve fine African artistic traditions. This will also help to ensure that the skills are passed down through the generations and live on to please and entertain future generations.
The buying of fair trade items ensures that the maximum revenue is directed back to the communities from which it came. The welfare and health of African families often depend on the sales of such works of art, and it is vital to take a stand to ensure that the money is directed to the right people.
With such a range of forms of wildlife art, you need not just decide from the range of big game paintings. Whilst these certainly offer an African style, a range of African animal forms will create a much richer and aesthetically pleasing room decoration for your home.