| Africa is a truly unique Continent. With over | | | | the continent changes. With the disappearance |
| 53 countries, and about a thousand different | | | | of traditions and other aspects of African |
| languages; this is a land where diversity is | | | | culture, works of traditional African art are |
| normal. While in Africa, one finds different | | | | becoming more and more scarce. The art of |
| unique ethnic groups living within ten miles | | | | previous generations was produced to meet |
| of each other to be normal. | | | | religious and social needs that no longer |
| | | | exist within most groups of Africans today. |
| Even though group loyalties run very deep, | | | | |
| people still have longstanding relationships | | | | Quality works of ancient African art are |
| with each other. | | | | becoming harder and harder to find. The value |
| | | | of this art has gone up accordingly; and much |
| One of the most astounding things about | | | | of the traditional artwork has left the |
| Africa is the pace of change. Africa today is | | | | continent for private collections overseas. |
| changing at a faster rate than has ever been | | | | People living in poverty will often give up |
| seen before. Changes that took centuries in | | | | family heirlooms; some passed down through |
| Western Europe and North America have | | | | generations; in order to survive. |
| happened in just a few short decades in | | | | |
| Africa. | | | | Artisans who create the art are also adopting |
| | | | new world views, This also makes traditional |
| Where else in all of history have people | | | | work of modern vintage somewhat less |
| moved so fast from tribal societies to modern | | | | meaningful and true to the original heritage. |
| nations? Progress in Africa has been | | | | Just as the culture of Africa is changing |
| happening in a way that has never been | | | | fast, in the same way it's art, as a |
| experienced anywhere else on the Globe. | | | | reflection of that culture also changes |
| | | | quickly. |
| The goals of independence and nationalism | | | | |
| among many of Africa's people, has sped up | | | | The "new" art most commonly found in Africa |
| the process of breaking down barriers between | | | | today, tends to be much more commercial. |
| tribal groups. This merging of tribal | | | | Instead of an artisan spending a tremendous |
| cultures has further weakened the traditions | | | | amount of time and emotional energy making a |
| already made weak from contact with Western | | | | work of art, a person today is much more |
| civilization. | | | | likely to find something that is far less |
| | | | unique. Common and popular art themes today |
| Art is one of the most important parts of any | | | | are virtually mass produced for larger |
| culture. In Africa, traditional art is | | | | audiences. |
| becoming a thing of the past as quickly as | | | | |