West African masks serve ceremonial and spiritual purposes in communities. They are often used in ceremonies to represent spirits of ancestors and control balances of good and evil. Artists hold respected positions and create masks through carving or painting bold patterns, sometimes incorporating materials like wood, clay, shells and metals as well as negative space designs. The masks aim to celebrate qualities like nobility and courage.

1. West AfricanWest African
MasksMasks
By Dana Munson & Adrianna Thomas Ppt from here

3. What shapes do you see? Do you see any
patterns? How do you create a pattern?

4.  Examples of finished masksExamples of finished masks

5. Bold patterns are carved or
painted with pigments

6. Are masks 2D or 3D?

7. If you were to fold these masks in half they
be the same on both sides.This is an
example of symmetrical balance.

8. Where do these masks show
negative space?

9. Why do people create masks?

10. •Artists hold a
respected position in
the community
•Masks are valued for
their spiritual quality
•Part of a ceremonial
costume
•During ceremonies
the masks come to life
through music and
dancing
•Represents spirits of
ancestors and controls
the balance between
good and evil

11. •Use materials from the
Earth such as wood,
terracotta clay pottery,
raffia and textiles.
•They are often
decorated with cowrie
shells, colored beads,
bone, animal skins and
vegetable fibers.
•Sometimes metals such
as bronze, copper and
brass are also used.
•Even the tools used for
carving have spiritual
qualities.

12. Masks celebrate more abstract qualities like nobility,
beauty, courage, mischief and humor.

13. •20th
century Artists such as
Pablo Picasso and Andre Derain
were inspired by African Art
•Sparked the Cubism movement
(objects are broken up and re-
assembled in an abstract form)

14. How do these masks create emotion?

16. Animals have long inspired
Ideas for Mask Designs!

17. What animals live in Africa?
Rhinoceros’

18. Lions

19. Hyenas
Antelope
Leopards

20. Ostriches

21. Zebras

22. African Cow

23. Water Buffalo

24. African Marsh Owl

25. African Elephant

26. African Hunting Dog

27. African Rock Python

28. How would you design a mask that
represents you?
Some masks combine
human and animals
qualities together!