A Reinvention of Medieval Paintings using African Forms

Abstract

Previous works have been done on medieval as well as African forms of painting. But to the best of the researcher‟s knowledge, little or no attention has been paid to creating a fusion of both forms. Therefore, this study investigated how European medieval and African paintings fared in order to marry the two. As a result of this, the researcher intended to fill that gap by creating a blend of both forms of painting reflecting on it from an African perspective through the researcher‟s synthesis. Various medieval costumes, African forms, painting techniques, media and other materials were explored, with the intention of re-inventing African portraiture and figures in medieval times. Paintings revealed that a new form of expression can be projected in marrying African Art form with the Medieval European costumes, thereby giving birth to a contemporary African art form. Experimentation method was used to carry out this research. This research project will serve aesthetic and educative purposes as well as a point of reference at museums, galleries, and schools where it can be used for effective pedagogy as teaching aid among others. If this project work is approved, the researcher intends to publish this research work so it can be made available in libraries, journals, and museums and other medium were it can be easily accessible.