African Collection - The British Museum.

Mans Cloth - El Anatsui - Ghana - 1998-2001

Created from recycled metal foil bottle neck wrappers and copper wire. This is based around traditional Ghanian kente cloth. It is based around the idea of memory loss and the erosion of traditional cultural values. This piece is beautiful, I love that it is a 'modernised' version of an age old tradition. I also like that it is made out of mostly recycled materials. 

The Benin Plaque.

The Portuguese brought brass bracelets to the kingdom of Benin in the late 1400's to exchange for pepper ivory and slaves. The artists of Benin made the brass into these plaques for the oba's palace, when they were brought to europe in the 1890's the europeans were shocked and astounded that the africans had created these pieces of art work. The british got hold of these because the Benin's resisted british control and in the late 1890's Benin people killed the british whom had tried to take control so they 'took' thousands of treasures as 'booty' including over one thousand of these plaques from the palace. The treasures caused appreciation for African art which gave influence to 20th century Western art.

I have mixed feelings about The Benin Plaque as it was basically taken from them by the British without consent, although I understand that this piece should be in a museum where thousands of people can have the chance to see it I also feel that it should be given back as these plaques ownership is not ours nor is it borrowed work.

The Tree Of Life.

The tree of life symbolises the creativity of Africa. This piece is from the Transforming Arms Into Tools project in 1995 which is supported by the charity Christian Aid, which included people giving up their weapons for useful items such as sewing machines, bicycles and tools for growing food. The tree of life is made completely out of old guns and other weapons by the group of artists, Maputo. The Tree of Life is an amazing concept I love that the pieces look at first glance like metal animals and the tree but when you look properly you start to see the great destruction which was caused by the arms which were used to create the piece.

The Path of Roses.

This tells the story of the 13th century mystic Jalal Al-Din Al-Rumi who made a journey across North Africa and the Mediterranean to Turkey. This collection was created by Richard Koraichi who drew them and then they were transferred to cotton laid over silk and embroidered with gold thread by Moroccan artists. Although you can't particularly see in this picture, the great detail in the embroidery truly is outstanding, I think the contrast of the gold on the dark makes it what it is and the story is captured.