Unit 4: The Spirituality of Colors

After reading “The Royal Arts of Africa, The Majesty of Form” by Suzanne Preston Blier, the public is able to find and interpret art as something that goes far away from feelings and materials. The public is able to interpret art by its colors and forms in a spiritual way. The use of wood and bead to represent deities completely challenge the generalized representation of royalty and wealth. Given that Yoruba and Dahomey people use simple and natural materials to portrait the highest power in the earth for their culture, gives their art a more profound meaning when it is appreciated. Yoruba and Dahomey art show people that the importance of something is given by the value of that something itself. There is not necessity of showing precious rocks or exotic materials when the power of the colors themselves represent the importance of an object. Because Yoruba and Dahomey people assigned colors with their gods, saints, and royals, the use of any color and form would make people associate and connect with their spirituality and traditions. Thanks to this written work by Blier and to the Yoruba and Dahomey people, the perception of art and colors have a more profound impact in people who knows about it.