The True Size of Africa

A fresh lens capturing the cosmos of Africa and its everlasting presence in our global societies.

This lavishly illustrated volume approaches the vast continent of Africa from a variety of viewpoints that go beyond prejudice and stereotypes and use cultural history and contemporary art to examine Africa’s colonial past and its continued influence on many regions of the world.

Covering a broad time frame, from the first humans to the present, and a diversity of artistic movements, including Pan-Africanism and
Afro-Futurism, this book brilliantly showcases the extensive output and influence of African art in and beyond Africa.
 

Opening up the cosmos of an entire continent – New perspectives on Africa This lavishly illustrated volume approaches the vast continent of Africa from a variety of viewpoints; beyond prejudice and stereotypes, via cultural history and contemporary art: by means of permanent changes of perspective and a diversity of artistic voices. The history of humankind meets the colonial past and the omnipresence of aspects of Africa in many regions of the world. On the one hand, surprising views of Africa are focused on from Europe. And on the other, works and installations by Africans or protagonists from the diaspora present ideas, impulses and identities which all signify Africa. The texts illustrate the broad time frame from the first humans to Pan-Africanism and Afro-Futurism, as well as present literary and philosophical narratives. ARTISTS: DELE ADEYEMO, JOHN AKOMFRAH, JAMES GREGORY ATKINSON, SAMMY BALOJI, ARÉBÉNOR BASSÉNE, MEMORY BIWA, MARÍA MAGDALENA CAMPOS-PONS, CATPC, OMAR VICTOR DIOP, SOKARI DOUGLAS CAMP, WILLIAM KENTRIDGE, KONGO ASTRONAUTS, SUSANA PILAR DELAHANTA MANTIENZO, ROMÉO MIVEKANNIN, ZANELE MUHOLI, JOSÈFA NTJAM, KALOKI NYAMAI, EMEKA, OGBOH, ZINEB SEDIRA, SANDRA SEGHIR, YINKA SHONIBARE, THE SINGH TWINS, GÉRALDINE TOBE, KARA WALKER, CARRIE MAE WEEMS