Female African artists have traditionally created art for spiritual purposes using mediums like rock art, metal sculptures, and textiles. However, limited record keeping in Africa means information about female artists is scarce. Today, African art is used not only for spiritual beliefs but also for storytelling, decoration, politics, and awareness. Despite changes, the number of female artists in sub-Saharan Africa remains low with only a few given opportunities for large audiences. Suzanne Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso uses vibrant colors in her art to depict social issues like female genital mutilation and the loss of hope that results. Frances Ademola has advocated for African artists for over 40 years and hopes to establish a museum in

1. Female African Artists
The past and present

2. The past
• Art form: rock art, metal
sculptures and carvings
, textiles and weights, masks…
• Purpose: used for spiritual
purposes

3. Women in art?
• Limited information or non existent;
record keeping is only a recent
enterprise in Africa as traditionally
stories were told from generations
to generations
• Contrast to European art where the
notion of art for beauty as well as
story telling was evident in early
years

4. Today
Art is viewed differently today;
although art is still created for
traditional spiritual beliefs, lots of
progress had been made towards
using art for story
telling, decoration, political
agendas, raising awareness and the
many other use of arts as is done in
the western world…

5. Still today…
Despite the changes, the number of
female African artists in sub-Sahara
Africa is still insignificant; only a
selected few have the opportunity
to present their work to large
audiences at home or abroad.

6. The few…
• Suzanne Ouedraogo: from Burkinafaso in
west Africa.

7. Suzanne O
• Mutilation:
Through her work she presents
social issues oppressing the
population.
Suzanne presents the subject of
female mutilation.

8. Art by Suzanne
• Vibrant colors; a
naked woman
hiding her
privates, running
away
• A male lower
extremities
portrayed as a
monster in pursuit

9. Mutilation continue…
• A kitchen scene
where a chicken
looses its head
• A naked female
crying at the loss
but cannot do a
thing to change
the situation

10. Gone…
• Lost of
hope, the
circumcision has
been done.

11. Frances Ademola
For over 40 years, Frances has been an
advocate for African artists, she has
been striving to give them a greater
exposure. Mostly focused in Ghana
where she is from and where she hopes
to set up a museum, Frances still works
with various artists to put them it the
spotlight.

12. Frances, continue…
• A combination of
vibrant colors and
happier subjects
clearly sets a
welcoming tone.
• Her work depicts
various daily life
activities

13. African art influence in Modern art
and architecture
• Modern artists
such as
Picasso, Derain, M
atisse, Moligliani
became
enthralled by
African art at the
start of the 20th C.

14. The future
• Art in Africa is taking on a new meaning;
people are starting to recognize its
importance and the power of the message
that can be delivered through art.
• With more acceptance of women artists, a
few are starting to make their presence
known; however there is still a large pool of
untapped talent that can only be discovered
if further encouraged and if the opportunity
is given for exposure.