Arts of the African continent? is the theme of a series of free public art lectures starting today at Bristol University.  The six lectures have been organised by Mr Peter Hardie, lecturer in History of Art.

The lectures cover an array of African topics inspired by African culture, African architecture, living traditions plus a look at the textile arts of Africa, and also celebrates the series centenary which were founded in 1905. All lectures will be held on Tuesdays in the Reception Room, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol from 6 to 6.45 pm.

The first lecture, on October 11, entitled From Lagos island to the Picasso Bar: an introduction to the modernity of African art, will be given by Professor John Picton, Emeritus Professor of African Art at the University of London.  His research interests include sculpture, masquerade, textile history and the inter-relationship of traditions and practices in the Niger-Benur region of Nigeria. 

The five subsequent lectures are:

• October 18, Osi Audu, artist and writer, Head of Art and Design, Rochester Mathematical School, Tradition and innovation in contemporary Yoruba culture.
• October 25, Dr Paul Oliver, MBE, Oxford Brookes University, African vernacular architecture.
• November 1, Dr Charles Gore, artist, art historian and anthropologist, Living traditions of sculpture and religion: kingship and the popular arts in Benin City.
• November 8, Chris Spring, Curator, Northeast, East and South African Collections, The British Museum, Kanga cloth and the textile arts of Africa.
• November 15, Professor Magdalene Odundo, Professor of Ceramics, Surrey Institute of Art and Design, The potter's art in Africa.