The African Gaze: Photography, Cinema and Power [Hardcover]

An accessible yet critical introduction to African photography and film from the mid-twentieth century to present day. A mesmerizing ode to African 'image-makers' who have 'affirm[ed] the . . . humanity colonialism was determined to extinguish' . . . Covering a dizzying stylistic and geographic range, the entries reveal how these photographers and filmmakers transformed visual mediums that had a history of framing African people as 'primitive subjects for ethnographic study' into modes of expression that assert autonomy, honor tradition, and remake identity by reimagining links between past and present. Readers will be spellbound. Sall draws on her background in human rights and cultural studies to show how artistic expression in photography and cinema has sparked discussions on African history, identity, power dynamics, and representation . . . With its beautiful design and a wealth of accessible material, including 280 photographs, this book is a valuable resource for contemporary art history collections and a must-read for those interested in African?photography and film. A meticulously crafted archival compilation, A spellbinding journey into the history and significance of pan-African art . . . It reveals photography as a powerful mechanism for expressing African subjectivities while also providing a visual library for understanding the influence and significance of postcolonial representations. A most welcome overview of some of the richness produced by photographers and filmmakers from Africa . . . One of the most interesting aspects of looking through the book is understanding the many shared sensibilities between the photographers, since it connects the known names with the lesser known ones and their background. An incredible resource for knowledge on some of the most impactful filmmakers and photographers from the continent. Packed with authoritative insight . . . An essential, encyclopedic study of African image-makers. An impressive overview of palÃ#