Ibeji, Yoruba, Nigeria, 20th century WHY DID THE ARTIST CHOOSE TO USE THESE STYLES AND FORMS? The function of ibeji figures has previously been discussed. This ibeji is similar to the figure shown earlier but it does not possess a beaded costume. Let's now consider the appearance of the carving. Although there is much variation among the art of different groups, within each group there are many limitations to what is considered appropriate for artists to carve. Traditionally, the art of a specific group is usually very consistent in appearance from one generation to the next. Each African culture has different expectations about how things should look. The Yoruba have very specific ideas about how a piece of art should look. They believe a good carving should have ewa. Ewa is the Yoruba word for character; it means well done or well made. To have ewa a sculpture must (1) be depicted in the middle (not too beautiful or too ugly, not too young but not too old, and not too abstract but not too realistic (2) look human but not exactly like any one person in particular (3) show the mark of the knife (4) reflect the light. If we consider the ibeji by Yoruba standards for ewa, we can better appreciate and understand its beauty and value. Notice also how large the figure's head is in relation to the rest of the body. To the Yoruba, the head is the seat of the soul and therefore the most important part of the body. Often in African art certain parts of a figure's body are emphasized, or enlarged, to express their importance. PART 3-PAGE 3 OF 7
SLIDE 14
WHY DOES THIS OBJECT LOOK THE WAY IT DOES?
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