African art stirs my soul

So many people have said to me that my eyes light up when I talk about African art. I am beginning to believe this now, as I feel lit up inside when I do speak about it. I am not sure why? Maybe it stimulates and excites me in a way that other mundane things doesn’t. In fact, that’s what it does. It makes me happy. There is no politics in African art, (ok, there is politics in just about everything) but you know what I mean. When I have a conversation with others and their faces appear blank as I go ranting on, it doesn’t matter this is something that I love and it gives me pleasure (selfish of me, I know). What I try to do. No! what I intend to do. No! that’s not right either. What I do when I have a discussion with others about African art is to communicate my passion and fascination with the subject. This is not shallow superficial talk but genuine talk this is who I am talk.

Now, that I have got that out of the way. I wanted to tell you why I have decided to do a BLOG. By the way, Jed doesn’t know what a BLOG is and I can have a little chuckle to myself about that. He is the one that’s supposedly up on technology not me. Anyway, why did I decide to do a blog. Well a couple of people that I know have suggested this to me. I was told it would be one way for me to talk about African art in a chatty informal and heartfelt way.

To be truthful, I avoided doing one at first because I thought this is going to be hard work and what do I have to say that would be of interest to anyone. I am not an expert. I don’t know the arts inside out. To be honest, I read so much about the different pieces, the country of origin and the usages that I get confused on occasions. But hey! When I get it wrong I feel no way about admitting it. It doesn’t matter, as I am not trying to impress anyone.

African art as therapy
A friend of ours came to visit us and his parting remarks were “…your home is very peaceful, you have a wonderful family, you are very lucky.”

And, you know something, I am not one for accepting compliments very well ( I am learning) but you know, what he said is true. I am lucky. The African arts in our home create a real sense of peace. I am convinced that the peace and tranquillity that wraps itself up like an old familiar cuddly blanket around our home emanates from these beautiful pieces of art. Good family and friends enhance this sense of tranquillity and harmony.

Through these pages, I would like to somehow share that sense of peace and tranquility with you. I want to create an African retreat that you can escape to, relax and feel at peace.

My advice to anyone who is feeling stressed or unhappy is to find something or someone preferably a combination of the two to bring you that sense of peace. Try a piece of art. Learn about its origin and significance. I promise you, it will amaze you and learning something new and different is very fulfilling, amazingly empowering and more importantly, very rewarding.