`

​

Introduction

What does it mean to recognize the underappreciated influence on American culture? This Capstone project looks at West Africa’s cultural traditions, and how these same traditions have some impact/influence in America today, that aren’t often not really portrayed in the media. The final project is a combined collage of different media types arranged in the shape of West Africa, emphasizing the Influence on cultures through the use of printed media and hand drawings. The goal of this project is to illustrate Africa's influence on America.

Literature Review

This work is influenced by artists like Wangechi Mutu and Romare Bearden, who use collage to look into identity, memory, and culture. Mutu works a lot with dispersed imagery to express complex African identities, while Bearden's collages use color and composition to tell stories of African American life.  Inspiration is drawn from their layering and visual storytelling methods, with a  focus on West Africa's influence on American life.

Scholarly research supports the emphasis on cultural connection. Paul Gilroy's concept of the "Black Atlantic" demonstrates how cultural contact between Africa, Europe, and the Americas influences Black identity. This demonstrates that African traditions are constantly developing across locations. Emmanuel Obiechina emphasizes the significance of oral storytelling in West African culture and its impact on modern expression (Obiechina).

  Research on Art in the African diaspora shows how the genre communicates identity and cultural memory (Smith). Senegalese hip hop research shows traditional rhythms and call-and-response patterns rooted in West African customs (Kelly). Africans in the American Landscape, released by the National Park Service, highlights how African cultural elements can still be observed in American music, architecture, and language. Together, these sources demonstrate that West African influence  in American culture is there.

Methods

The  research process  involved a review of academic articles and a visual analysis of cultural imagery. Researching West African culture and their impact on American culture, focusing on arts, food, and fashion. Artistically, created a mixed media collage on cardboard cut into the shape of West Africa, mixing printed photos with hand-drawn illustrations in paint. Using layering, contrast, and spatial arrangement to connect ethnic concepts, while basic paintings like patterns, drums, art, and fashion imagery help bring together the composition.

Audience & Impact

The  research process  involved a review of academic articles and a visual analysis of cultural imagery. Researching West African culture and their impact on American culture, focusing on arts, food, and fashion. Artistically, created a mixed media collage on cardboard cut into the shape of West Africa, mixing printed photos with hand-drawn illustrations in paint. Using layering, contrast, and spatial arrangement to connect ethnic concepts, while basic paintings like patterns, drums, art, and fashion imagery help bring together the composition.

References

Gilroy, Paul. The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness. Harvard University Press, 1993.

Kelly, J. “Research on Senegalese Hip Hop and West African Musical Traditions.” n.d.

National Park Service. “Africans in the American Landscape.” National Park Service, www.nps.gov.

Obiechina, Emmanuel. “Oral Storytelling Traditions in West African Literature.” n.d.

Smith, J. “Art in the African Diaspora and Cultural Memory.” n.d.

Acknowledgements

 I  want to thank the artists and scholars who inspired the research and creative process, such as Wangechi Mutu and Romare Bearden, whose work shaped my understanding of collage as a form of storytelling and cultural expression.

I'd also want to thank Harold and Irene for their encouragement and support, which allowed me to accomplish this project successfully. Their support was essential in staying motivated and completing my assignment successfully.