Contemporary African Artist; Focus on Hussein Saidi

Hussein Saidi is a Tanzanian Artist whose collection of art contains an overriding theme of community and family. He tries to focus on the commonality among all people globally. His artwork embodies two distinct styles;

1. Use of acrylic paints to create paintings that utilize bold colors and shapes so they can be lively, active and of pure emotion.
2. Use of natural materials such as barks, leaves, husks and other natural fibres to create unique collages by combining these materials in a meticulous process.

As seen in some of his artwork highlighted below, the materials used reflect his perceptions of the strong ties between human beings and the Earth. His work also encompass scenes from daily life in Africa and shows 'Ujamaa' (which is Kiswahili for cooperation), unity in family and Community life. This is specifically seen in each of the work here below where we have a group of men and women working together in building a house (2002), a group of girls dancing and enjoying together in the rain and finally a group of women pulling a fishing net so as to get their food for the day. All of these truly captures the real African spirit and way of living.

Below is a sample of some of Hussein's work from 2002 to 2011.

2002

2006

2011

Artist that uses negative & positive space in their work

Tang Yau Hoong is a brilliant artist, illustrator, graphic designer living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With a passion for creative thinking, he creates art that is conceptual, surreal and fun in a simplistic and unique way with use of negative and positive spaces to bring balance to any work.

PULLING OUT OF ADDICTION: This work was meant to show that substance abuse can be conquered. I think that the hill/rock that is being climbed plus the person climbing it is on positive space and he used the negative space to represent the bottle which is a symbol of alcohol/drugs.

THE ADDICTION PARADOXDrug dependence has two faces- as a chronic disease and a temporary failure to cope.

The positive space was used up with the bottle plus the liquid spill and he used the negative spaces for the two human beings,  plus a sort of mountain & cover and at the same to show distance.

HI: The text box is the positive space while the face is on negative space. It is so creative as it looks like the hello is coming out of the mouth of the face.

SHARE & SHARE ALIKESAs a means of protecting the interest of the sellers, as well as the cashflow of the company, share buybacks can offer a win-win solution. The first half of this image shows the red hand as the positive space wheres the last half its the black hand that is on the positive space and red on the negative.

STIR CRAZY

He used both negative & positive space to have a stir fry spoon and the same time a jail room window at the same time which was super creative as it was meant for an article whose heading was 'One of the toughest jobs a foodservice consultant can face is designing foodservice solutions in correctional facilities'.

African Art at its best!!

African Girl 2 by Zattara86
Graphite on Paper

This drawing captures the True Spirit of Africa as seen in her eyes, smile and hairstyle.

Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya's President) by Kenyan Collins Okello Jaduong
Graphite on Canvas

This drawing is of Kenya's current president in the Military Uniform which is meant to show support and encourage the Kenya Army and Police Force to tighten and continue with their fight against terrorism. The drawing also portrays the president in deep thought and a man of humility by the way he has folded his hands together. 

"A Boy's Tears" by Ghanian Peter Boateng
24" x 18" (61 x 46 cm)Graphite Pencil on Paper

The details of this drawing gives a strong emotional impact and connection. The tears could represent sadness as a result of many problems we face in Africa due to poverty and corruption.