Artisans keep African heritage alive through sculpture and painting

By Gokhan Kavak, Ahmed Satti, and Mevlut Ozkan

BANJUL, Gambia / ISTANBUL (AA) - Africa preserves its cultural heritage through its centuries-old art and craft traditions, blending tribal motifs with modern artistic movements to maintain its identity.

With a growing appreciation for art, cities across the continent now feature open-air exhibits, craft markets, and biennials that support local artists. Street art is also on the rise, transforming murals into platforms for social messages, historical narratives, and expressions of cultural identity.

Seen in city centers, neighborhoods, and historic districts, these murals serve as reflections of social change and public awareness. By integrating traditional motifs with modern interpretations, vibrant murals connect the past with the future, often featuring nature scenes and historical figures.

African handicrafts, shaped by diverse regional techniques and materials, remain a deeply rooted legacy.

- Handicrafts passed down through generations

Wood carving, ceramics, weaving, leatherwork, and metal arts carry both functional and artistic significance.

In rural areas, these crafts continue to be passed down through generations, preserving artistic traditions. Handmade baskets, beaded jewelry, masks, and sculptures serve as more than decorative pieces — they represent cultural identity.

Displayed in local markets and international galleries, African art reaches global audiences while also playing a crucial role in economic growth.

Handicrafts, painting, sculpture, and textile design provide livelihoods for many, particularly as cultural tourism expands. Rising interest in traditional art has increased opportunities for artists to showcase their work at international fairs and on digital platforms.

Support for the arts is also inspiring younger generations to explore creative fields. Art schools, workshops, and creative hubs nurture talent while ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage. Rural art cooperatives, in particular, empower women and young people, helping them achieve economic independence through craftsmanship.

Handmade artworks, murals, traditional architecture, and artistic expression continue to keep Africa’s rich cultural heritage alive, acting as a bridge between the past and the future.

- 'Anything I can do from the woods'

Craftsman Alpha Ciessey and Gambian painter Yougu Touray spoke with Anadolu about Africa’s artistic traditions.

Ciessey carves wooden sculptures of animals, including lions, hippos, rhinos, and giraffes, along with figures of women carrying babies and the symbolic "Mama Africa."

He began learning the craft at the age of 10 or 12 from his siblings and quickly developed a deep passion for it.

"I am developing. So, the developing brings me love to do these arts. I love arts," he said.

Tourists from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Spain, the US, Morocco, Algeria, and Türkiye play a role in supporting Gambia’s economy through their purchases, he noted.

"(With) the money we buy fish and rice and those things. So, our community is coming to grow," he added.

Ciessey also takes custom orders, crafting sculptures based on pictures provided by customers. "Anything I can do from the woods," he emphasized.

- 'Art is making sense out of nothing and selling it for money'

Painter Yougu Touray describes his work as semi-abstract and highly contemporary, while still deeply influenced by traditional African art.

He draws inspiration from Kanyalens, a women's group that was active in his community during his childhood.

"When I was very young, they were very active in this area. They were quite artistic. And it is their beliefs that inspired this work ... I heard this quote which says that 'art is making sense out of nothing and selling it for money'."

Touray explained that the group's primary focus was family well-being, a theme he strives to reflect in his paintings.

Coming from a creative family—his father was a carpenter, and his mother worked in tie-dye and sewing — he was naturally drawn to artistic expression.

"I went to school and started to draw and to write, but then I realized that I was more of a visual person. So, I tend to draw more than I write in my books. So, that developed and developed, and I was noticed by my peers. So, with the helping hand of people around me and the support, I just continued to create things," he said.

Touray first started making lantern wood finials for Christmas with friends before expanding his artistic pursuits to painting on wearable items. As demand for his work grew, he continued painting on various surfaces.

"This went round. It was like a mobile gallery, and then I started painting on wood and on fabric and canvas, and that brought me to this level," he added.