Discover the Unique Gifts of Africa
Sep 4th, 2008 by Nicole Maschwitz
Fantastic works of art come out of Africa, they are renowned for them. The most appealing works as of late are their brilliant beadwork. This beadwork technique has been past down for hundreds of years, they have mastered this beadwork technique to a tee. This incredible art form has to be seen to be believed.
In Africa some of the ancient relics have been made using seeds, metal, stones and in some cases eggs. However modern times have these new artworks being made form glass beads.
Since the discovery of glass by the Egyptians, trade routes were set up with the people of South Africa to trade these glass beads for ivory and other valuables.
The South Africans skillfully designed these beautiful artworks using wire together with the glass beads. The designs they created were breathtaking, the designs included motorbikes, cars, wall art, decorative bottles and any animal. Firstly the construct the frame using wire they then use colored beads to decorate.
In Africa many families are very poor and they could not afford glass beads. Families started making toys from just wire. The popularity of the wire structures became so popular with overseas tourists, they started extending the art form by adding the coloured glass beads to their designs. You can now find designs anywhere from drums to cars. Even security guards at night starting decorating their “Knockberries” with bright colourful telephone wire, just to keep them awake during their night watch.
In the past colored copper wire was used in the many creative designs. But alot of the designs today are made from steel wire. These designs can be anything from musical instruments, animal, bicycles. The designs can be found anywhere from studios to markets and road side stands. These brilliant sculptures would make the ideal gift.
Seeing these wonderful designs, will amaze you, the talent the creativity and the passion is evident each sculpture. Each creation is magnificent, you will see designs such as butterflies, spider webs these are in wall art forms to hang in childrens bedrooms. Bowls in colourful wire designs, bracelets and animals of all size and colour.
Many of the Crafters began selling their art in public flea markets, instead of just roadside stands in order to bring more customers. However alot of artisans realized their talents and started opening up art shops and galleries to display their creative works.
If you know someone that appreciates a unique gift, then you cant go past these wire sculptures. Whether it be a wall design for a childs bedroom, or a novelty car for that car enthusiast, or that unbelievable motorbike for bike lovers, their are wire art designs to suit everybody. These creative sculptures with such prominent colours will be the talking piece of anyones room.
