Art has played an important role in African social movements, providing as a potent medium of communication and expression of ideas that typically aesthetically depict social occurring, events, or problems.
African artists have used their creativity to address a wide range of social issues, including human rights violations, political corruption, environmental degradation, and social inequality, to name a few.
Across the continent, from traditional societies to modern and contemporary eras, artists have used creative means to express their fears and worries, aspirations and dreams, and even the state of their environment at the time.
Looking at the anti-colonial movement in Africa, particularly in the 1960s, artists used their work to build a sense of national identity and organize people toward the goal of freedom. Ghanaian artist Ablade Glover, for example, utilized his paintings to represent common people’s problems and to commemorate the country’s cultural history. Similarly, South African artist Gerard Sekoto painted paintings depicting the apartheid regime’s oppression of black South Africans. Another example of how artists have sparked a social movement is the Zaria rebels from Nigeria’s Ahmadu Bello University.
Artists across Africa have continued to use their work in recent years to confront societal issues and promote good change such as the performance arts of Jelili Atiku. Not to mention how artists used street art to raise awareness about police brutality and corruption during the #EndSARS protest of 2020 by creating powerful images that depict the suffering of victims and the need for change, such as portraits of those who have been murdered or abused by the police. By doing so, they have helped to raise awareness of the issue and put pressure on the government to act.
Music has also been an important means of social activism in Africa thereby positioning some artistes as antigovernment figures. These creatives have used their music to express their political views and to call for social change. For example, Nigerian musician Fela Kuti used his music to criticize the government and to demand social and political reform. His songs spoke to the struggles of ordinary people and inspired a generation of Nigerians to take action. Names such as Idris Abdulkareem, Aiyekooto and a host of others are other names from the country also.
Art is now functioning as the best vehicle in solving environmental challenges in Africa, most likely because art is embedded in the cultures of its people. Artists such as Serge Attukwei Clottey, Dotun Popoola, Lanrewaju Tejuoso, Yusuf Durodola, Christianah Odunayo, Segun Okewunmi, Luke Rudman, Joshua Adeyemi, and Rufai Zakari have utilized their art to raise attention to the issue of trash. They used abandoned things to create paintings, sculptures, and installations that highlighted the impact of human activity on the environment.
Overall, art has been a valuable vehicle for social change in Africa, allowing people to express themselves and raise awareness about significant issues affecting their communities and themselves as individuals. By using their creativity and artistic talents, African artists have been able to inspire people and create a sense of unity and purpose. Their work has helped to bring attention to social issues, mobilize people, and promote positive change.
Africa Palette 