African
Masks - The Function of an African Mask
In
the early 20th Century, artists like Pablo
Picasso and Andre
Derain were inspired by the bold abstract designs
that they discovered in African tribal masks. They collected
and used these works of art to influence their own style.
In effect, they used African culture to refresh the
tired tradition of figure painting in European art.
As
a result, we now tend to admire the bold design and
abstract patterns of African masks through European
eyes. We appreciate them as exhibits on museum walls,
cut off from their original meaning and magical power.
However, this is not how they were designed to be viewed.
African
masks should be seen as part of a ceremonial costume.
They are used in religious and social events to represent
the spirits of ancestors or to control the good and
evil forces in the community. They come to life, possessed
by their spirit in the performance of the dance, and
are enhanced by both the music and atmosphere of the
occasion. Some combine human and animal features to
unite man with his natural environment. This bond with
nature is of great importance to the African and through
the ages masks have always been used to express this
relationship.