A5. Africa Rising: 21st Century African Photography

The course focuses on the history of Photography in Africa with particular emphasis on 21st century work.  It is linked to the exhibition Africa Rising: 21st Century African Photography at the Fitchburg Art Museum. It will contextualize recent work beginning with photography’s arrival in Africa in the late 19th century and the development of studio portraiture through the mid-20th century, with emphasis on the work of Malick Sidibe and Seydou Keita from Mali. Their work provides an important grounding for the images of later African fine arts photographers. Major themes – reclaiming/reasserting identity, environmental exploitation, female empowerment, and Afro-futurism – will be explored through the work of selected photographers. We will take advantage of the Africa Rising exhibition that features almost entirely work created after 2000 with one class meeting at FAM with the date and time to be determined by the class. Otherwise, it will meet at Assumption and consist of illustrated lectures including film clips that allow the photographers’ voices to be heard.

Optional Book:  Photography and Africa, by Erin Haney (the paperback version)

Jean Borgatti is the consulting curator of African Art at the Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM.)  She has done extensive research, teaching and publishing about African art. She organized the current exhibition, Africa Rising, at FAM.