African Head Sculptures

In the image below you can see an original head sculpture. The textures used are very intricate and detailed. you can see the holes around the mouth- these were put here so that they could be filled with human or animal hair to create a beard.

The Trustees of the British Museum, (12th-14th century), Ife head [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/festivalsandevents/7322790/Coming-up-whats-on-in-the-world-of-travel.html [Accessed 18 November 14].

 

The Trustees of the British Museum, (12th-15th century), Ife head [ONLINE]. Available at: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01588/kingdom-of-ife-4_1588111a.jpg [Accessed 18 November 14].

Unknown, (unknown date), Carved African Pot [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7e5b6d8406f4b9bab856e4abd11f6519.jpg [Accessed 18 November 14].

Unknown, (unknown date), A staff used by devotees of Shango, the Yoruba orisha of thunder and lightning, carried in dancing rituals. [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.veniceclayartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/A-gold-pendant-in-the-form-of-a-stylized-head.-Country-of-Origin-Ghana.-Culture-Ashanti.-2.jpg [Accessed 18 November 14]. 

As I have been experimenting with and looking at texture, I decided to look at these african tribal sculptures. I found it really interesting to notice how the textures used in the sculptures are echoed and referenced in the scarification created on their bodies, and in the staff sculpture above you can see the scarification on the woman's face, really showing attention to detail.