How children tell stories through art
What's the story
African children's art is colorful and lively, often weaving stories from the past. These arts are more than just an expression of creativity; they are also a reflection of stories that have been shared from one generation to another. The styles in these artworks portray the diversity of cultures across the continent, each narrating a story in its own way. Here are five timeless storytelling styles in African children's art.
Visual symbols
Symbolic patterns and motifs
Symbolic patterns and motifs are common in African children's art. These symbols often depict nature, cultural beliefs, or history. For example, geometric shapes could symbolize unity or community bonds. Using repetitive patterns can signify continuity or eternity in a story. By including these motifs in their artwork, children learn to convey complex ideas and traditions visually.
Emotional hues
Use of color to convey emotion
Color is an essential element in African kids' art as it expresses emotions and establishes the mood of the tale being narrated. Bright colors such as red and yellow may be used to signify happiness or festivity, while dark colors can represent sorrow or war. By making color choices, budding artists can evoke certain emotions in their audience, making their stories more interesting and relatable.
Everyday stories
Narrative scenes from daily life
Another popular storytelling style in African children's art is depicting scenes from everyday life. These scenes usually show activities like farming, market days, or family gatherings. By depicting daily experiences, children weave their own lives into larger cultural narratives. This style not only preserves traditional practices but also provides young artists a way to reflect contemporary life through their own eyes.
Legendary beings
Mythical creatures and legends
Mythical creatures and legends often find a place in African children's artwork, as they provide a rich storytelling canvas. These creatures could be animals with human attributes or legendary heroes renowned for their courage or wisdom. By depicting these myths through art, children connect with cultural heritage while delving into themes like morality and resilience.
Conceptual abstraction
Abstract representation of concepts
Abstract representation is another storytelling style where concepts like freedom or identity are represented through non-literal forms such as abstract shapes or lines rather than realistic images. This gives young artists more freedom to express complex ideas creatively without the boundaries of literal interpretations. It piques viewers' imagination by inviting them into an open-ended dialogue about what the meaning of each piece is.