Topic 2: South African artists influenced by African and/or Indigenous art forms

Question 1

Describe The Hunt

when who what why

Answer 1

The Hunt
Irma Stern Oil on Canvas 1926

Description

• Shows a number of African men going on hunt
• Based on recent trip to Swaziland
• Tribal culture and old tools / weapons
• Primitive hunting scene

Composition

• Chaotic
• Lots of overlapping shapes + little negative space
• Shows excitement and busy
• 3 figures in front have attention shows that they are important (old tribal men were leaders…)

Style

• Expressionistic
• No naturalistic proportions
• Colours have been simplified and there is little naturalistic detail
• Oversimplified faces represent traditional African masks
• Links to indigenous African Art
• Also ties into German Expressionism dark outlines

Colours

• Lots of vibrant colours links to African art
• Shows activity and movement in the image

Lines

• Overlapping
• Curved = Nature
• Harsh outlines hint at oversimplified indigenous African art

Paint

• Thick and expressive visible brushstrokes
• Shows that Stern isn’t interested in naturalism for this work

Meaning

• Paint rich culture that Stern saw
• Showing tribal African culture in her own style
• Showing indigenous people of Swaziland