A History of Art in Africa by Monica B. Visona, Robin Poynor, Herbert M. Cole, Suzanne Preston Blier, Michael D. Harris

Synopsis

A groundbreaking work, this is the first book to cover the arts of the entire continent of Africa, including Egypt, and to survey the art history, rather than the cultural traditions, of African peoples. The authors' unique synthesis of up-to-date research on African arts of many periods and geographic areas has resulted in a major contribution to the literature of art history.

Thousands of years of African art, from prehistory to the present, are considered, encompassing sculpture, painting, architecture, textiles, ceramics, and the myriad art forms of personal adornment and performance. Individual authors contribute chapters on their areas of expertise, yet hte whole volume works as a seamless text, weaving together everything from prehistoric Saharan rock art to contemporary sculpture, including the rich, multi-faceted art of the African diaspora. Brilliantly illustrated throughout, and including full indexes and bibliography, this volume is a milestone in the study and future perception of African art.

Library Journal

The study of African art history has reached another milestone with the publication of this book. For years, we have needed a survey textbook that would cover African art the way that Jansen et al. cover Western art. Treating the subject from an art historical rather than an anthropological perspective, this groundbreaking book is organized geographically to cover the entire continent. Each of the five regional sections focuses on selected major art traditions instead of attempting to cover every known art-producing culture. Though written by four respected African art scholars, the text obviously has been designed to be readable to the undergraduate student or interested general reader. Accompanying the text are over 700 photos and scores of maps, plans, drawings, etc. Some readers might quibble about the inclusion or exclusion of certain art forms, but overall this volume is a remarkable achievement that will richly reward anyone interested in the subject. Highly recommended.--Eugene C. Burt, Seattle Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Biography

MONICA BLACKMUN VISONA is Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Kentucky. Her publications focuses upon the arts of the Lagoon Peoples and upon the larger issues of contemporary African art.

ROBIN POYNOR is Professor of Art History at the University of Florida. He is a specialist on Yoruba arts in Africa and the New World and is a regular contributor to African Arts.  He has served as both consultant and guest curator for numerous exhibitions.

HERBERT M. COLE is Professor Emeritus of Art History at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arts Council of the African Studies Association. He has published numerous books and exhibition catalogues.

The closing chapter of this book was written by Michael Harris, Associate Professor of African American Studies at Emory University.  The preface was written by Roland Abiodun, Professor of Art Hisotry at Amherst College, and the introduction was written by Suzanne Preston Blier, Allen Whitehill Clowes Professor of Fine Art and Africam American Studies at Harvard University.