6.5 African Art in the Context of Colonialism

• What is the definition of colonialism?

  Economic exploitation, political control
• Colonial powers often looted art for European museums
• Traditional patrons were replaced by colonial administrators, changing art's purpose.
• European artistic styles and materials were introduced, influencing traditional practices
• Which major colonial power colonized regions in East Africa, West Africa, and South Africa?

  Great Britain
• Match the colonial power with the regions they colonized:

  Great Britain ↔️ East Africa

  France ↔️ West Africa

  Germany ↔️ German East Africa
• Which colonial power controlled the Congo Free State?

  Belgium
• African artists resisted colonial influence by maintaining traditional art forms
• Colonial powers often destroyed African cultural heritage intentionally.
• What was the economic impact of colonialism on African societies?

  Exploitation of resources
• Colonial powers replaced traditional governance systems with European-style administration
• How did cultural assimilation under colonialism affect African societies?

  Suppression of African cultures
• The legacy of colonial policies includes persistent economic disparities in Africa.
• Key influences on African art under colonialism

  1️⃣ Colonial administrators as patrons

  2️⃣ Introduction of European techniques

  3️⃣ Marginalization of indigenous art

  4️⃣ Art as resistance and nationalism
• What replaced traditional patronage in African art under colonialism?

  Colonial administrators
• Colonialism led to a blending of indigenous motifs with European artistic realism
• Many Benin Bronzes were looted by the British and are now in European museums.
• The Benin Bronzes were looted by the British and are now in European museums
• Nationalist posters were used during independence movements to promote unity.
• What were the major changes in African art production under colonialism?

  Themes, materials, styles
• Match the aspect of African art with its traditional or colonial influence:

  Themes ↔️ Cultural traditions, spirituality ||| Historical events, European portraits

  Style ↔️ Indigenous motifs ||| Blended styles, realism

  Materials ↔️ Natural resources ||| Imported materials
• The Benin Bronzes, influenced by European techniques, were originally commissioned by local rulers
• Colonialism involves economic exploitation, political control, and cultural assimilation.
• Major European colonial powers in Africa and their regions colonized:

  1️⃣ Great Britain - East Africa, West Africa, South Africa

  2️⃣ France - West Africa, North Africa, Central Africa

  3️⃣ Germany - German East Africa, German Southwest Africa

  4️⃣ Belgium - Congo Free State

  5️⃣ Portugal - Angola, Mozambique

  6️⃣ Spain - Spanish Sahara, Spanish Guinea
• What were the economic effects of colonial policies in Africa?

  Exploitation of resources
• Colonial powers dismantled traditional political systems to exert control
• What were the major European colonial powers in Africa?

  Great Britain, France, Germany
• Match the colonial power with the regions they colonized:

  Great Britain ↔️ East Africa

  France ↔️ North Africa

  Germany ↔️ German Southwest Africa

  Belgium ↔️ Congo Free State

  Portugal ↔️ Angola

  Spain ↔️ Spanish Sahara
• What was the economic impact of colonization on African societies?

  Exploitation of resources
• Colonial powers replaced traditional governance systems with European-style administration
• Cultural assimilation under colonialism led to the suppression of African traditions and languages.
• How did the economy change under colonial rule in Africa?

  Subsistence to resource extraction
• What were the key changes in African art production under colonialism?

  Patronage, themes, styles, materials
• Colonial administrators replaced traditional patrons, leading to a shift in art's purpose
• European techniques and materials were introduced in African art during colonialism.
• What themes were common in colonial-influenced African art?

  Historical events, European portraits
• What materials were primarily used in colonial-influenced African art?

  Imported materials
• What is an example of colonial-influenced African art that incorporates European techniques?

  Benin Bronzes
• How did art serve as a form of resistance against colonial powers?

  Preserved cultural identity
• How were Africans and colonial figures represented differently in colonial art?

  Africans as subservient, colonials as rulers