Emergence of African design has a way back to its origin of cave paintings and carvings. And the first of any was found in the Apollo 11 cave in Namibia, which dated back to around 23,000 BCE. Human beings through ages have been much interested in art and it evolved through paintings and carvings which started in caves and was brought to refinement through emergence of culture and identity. African Style of art and design also evolved through its evolution of culture and shaped into its own unique Identity.
Over the years African design and style evolved into beautiful motifs which were used for historical events, objects, animals etc. It started with the Akan People of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and originated around 400 years ago.
Different parts of Africa developed having different design patterns and evolved through years through similarities and differences within the regions.
The south of Africa, around Zimbabwe developed the famously known as Ndebele quilt blocks, by Ndebele people. Most of the patterns were geometric and symbolised Ndebele culture very well. This group of people are known mostly for very vibrant coloured patterns and artwork.Their artwork is mostly influenced by their cultural heritage.This form of art was mostly portrayed through the exterior walls of their homes known as “rondavels,”, which was mostly used to communicate within the society.
African style and design over the years have influenced the world be it through its fashion imprints or its art style used by all tribes in the deep rooted cultural community.
African design influencing Modern interior Design
African art has always been described and known for its bold forms, creating focal points and captivating artwork.Therefore many designers be it in the fashion industry, interior and architecture industry or any Creative Industry have always looked towards the characteristics of how African design can be incorporated well and given a depth and dimension befitting today’s minimalistic characteristics.
Therefore, studying the deep connection of African roots and its cultural depth through artwork has been well adopted into the Interior Industry by inclusion of it in living spaces.
The textures,patterns and also materials have been very much an influence from African society and its depth of culture,artwork and creativity put together. African style has given the chance to designers to create visually appealing and creatively striking spaces and focal points, by use of patterns, materials and vibrant colours involved.
African art has, specially incorporated into spaces of contrast, have created visually striking spaces evoking senses of stimulus experiencing such spaces.
Through its evolution and Fusion through time and usage, it has created new trends of contrast and combine with Bohemian, minimalist etc.
In many ways African style incorporation into spaces has elevated the spaces in many mediums. As for a designer to the end user a story to connect and visually relate to a space is very much important. Incorporation of African design has elevated spaces to levels where a designer can communicate well to the users through the styling of the spaces creating bold corners or pockets conveying bold ideas and visual effects breaking monotony at times in minimalist designs. African style of art has a great variety and colours to explore which have given designers to dive deep and experiment the variations in materials, textures to Colours. The diversity found in the African Continent and its variations too have given a great deal to designers to very intricately study and incorporate from a wide variety and through different additions and combinations bring out the story in detail of a space and create interesting variations within a space or design.
Reference List:
- Aroa, Z. (2023) The Art of Ndebele Quilt Blocks: Patterns and Precision, Nancy’s Notion. Available at: https://nancysnotions.com/the-art-of-ndebele-quilt-blocks-patterns-and-precision/ (Accessed: December 20, 2023).
- Kasfir, S. L. (2007) African Art and the Colonial Encounter: Inventing a Global Commodity. Bloomington, MN: Indiana University Press.
- “Understanding the role of African art in modern interior design” (2023) TingaTingaart, 22 June. Available at: https://www.tingatingaart.com/blogs/articles/understanding-the-role-of-african-art-in-modern-interior-design (Accessed: December 18, 2023).
- Yandangi, L. (2022) The History of African Design as told by Saki Mafundikwa, Tech Quazi. Available at: https://www.techgazi.com/the-history-of-african-design-as-told-by-saki-mafundikwa/ (Accessed: December 20, 2023).
