Africa is a country well known for its incredible works of art. Their stone and wood sculptures are known to most, but as of late the most appealing works of art are their amazing beadwork. This technique has been past down through the generations hundreds of years in fact.
In Africa some of the ancient relics have been made using seeds, metal, stones and in some cases eggs. However modern times have these new artworks being made form glass beads.
First came the discovery of glass beads by the Egyptians, eventually trade routes were set up with the people of South Africa, trading was common, Ivory and and other valuables were traded for glass beads.
The South Afrcans began constructing objects using the glass beads with the help of wire. The designs they created were absolutley beautiful, the designs included cars, flowers, and almost any animal. The frame is made of a galvanised wire and then decorated with colored beads.
Many families were very poor and could not afford beads, so toys were made from just wire. The art of using just wire became so popular that now a tourist can find wire art shaped into everything from Saxophones to large cars, and many with very great detail, some may even have a working steering wheel. Working with wire has become a Zulu wire working revolution. Even security guards started decorating their "knobkerries" with bright and colorful wire, just to keep them awake during the long hours of the night watch.
Even though copper color coded wires where used in creating wire art, one can now find wire sculptures of musical instruments, animals, bicycles, and many other sculptures fashioned from steel wire, and can also be found not only is a studio, but also at flea markets, and roadside stands. These would make fantastic and unique gifts for anyone.
Looking at this artwork will amaze you, once you see how much work and passion was put into each creation. Some trees are fashioned from wire, sticking into a piece of wood, and the leaves on the tree are twisted in such a way that they look real. You will also find such things as wire beaded bowl sets, bracelets, beautifully designed animals of every sort, you will also see motorcycles designed in many different colors. Colorful plates made from wire, and matching under plates can also be seen.
Zulu artisans and crafters began selling their designs in public markets instead of roadside stands in order to drive more customers; however many wire artists realized the vale of the sculptures and opened up art shops and galleries to display their creative designs.
If you know someone that appreciates a unique gift, then you cant go past these wire sculptures. Whether it be a wall design for a childs bedroom, or a novelty car for that car enthusiast, or that unbelievable motorbike for bike lovers, their are wire art designs to suit everybody. These creative sculptures with such prominent colours will be the talking piece of anyones room.
About the Author:
When your in the market for some great Gift Ideas please come and see our complete giftrange
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment