Africa: The Art of a Continent

by Tom Phillips, Tom Phillips, Royal Academy of Arts

Book Overview

Inspired by an exhibition which was held at the Guggenheim Museum in the summer of 1996, this is an overview of the art traditions of Africa, the birthplace of human civilization and the source of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3791320041
• ISBN13: 9783791320045
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing
• Length: 620 Pages
• Weight: 6.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 9.6" x 11.9"

Customer Reviews

The Power and Beauty of traditional African sculpture

This book is based on intimate knowledge of Africa and its people, brings a rare clarity to her subject. Dance masks, fetish figures, reliquares, and purely decorative objects are all lavishly illustrated with carefully chosen examples and related to geographical, religious, and social conditions that inspired them. This book shows a remarkable panorama of these arts-is ample evidence of the greatness of these highly developed modes of artistic expression. Let me say that the books cover is alone "A Work Of Art". Facinating Book!!

african art

I like what I got and the price was much better than the price for the same book at the school bookstore. good deal.

Final Grade: 81%

a fair collection of colour and black and white photos of African art from all over the continent. Of all the areas, East Africa (excluding the Horn of Africa) is given the least attention. I think they could have also expanded on Ethiopian art. Another problem is the lack of showing contemporary African art (it assumes that new Euro-influenced art is no longer African. This is of course ridiculous since contemporary Euro art since the late 19th century has been heavily African influence, yet remains European art) Also, the book does not include African architectural art. Though I only gave it a B-minus, if there was a sliding scale I'd have to give it an A-minus due to the lack of good art books regarding Africa.

The Art of a Continent

Very informmative text, very easy to read, and understand. With pictures, and text that visually and verbably discribe in detail each object listed. Great number of art objects not available to view without the photographs in this book I am 100% satisfied with this book and will use it as a reference, on an ongoing basis. A must for the collector of African Art.

African Art, a true collectors edition.

One of the most complete general works on African Art and well worth purchasing for detailed information on the variation in art form, tribe, country and art style in Africa. Almost full tribal location information and regionalised art details makes this book a must for the serious collector and student on the subject. From early Egyptian to more recent times, it is a book you have to read several times to understand that no one can ever know the true depth and complexity within the African Art world. A good all round reference book on a much missunderstood and underated art form. Mark Farley