Africa is well known for its fantastic works of art. The most appealing works of art at present are their incredible beadwork, which the Zulu Tribe has become most popular. Their technique in beadwork has been past down for hundreds of years, and they seemed to have mastered them all, this incredible art form would make a great unique gift for that special someone.
In times gone by works of art have been made using anything from eggs to seeds, also stones and metal. However these latest artworks have been made using 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 Africans skillfully designed these beautiful artworks using wire together with the glass beads. The designs they created were breathtaking, the designs included motorbikes, cars, wall art, decorative bottles and any animal. Firstly the construct the frame using wire they then use colored beads to decorate.
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.
In the earlier days copper colour coded wires were used in their creations. One can now find wire sculptures of musical instruments, animals, bicycles fashioned from steel wire. These sculptures can be found not only in studios but also roadside stands and markets. These would make truly unique gifts.
You need to see this artwork to believe it, once you see the passion and creativity, that has been put into each design. The designs are never ending they can make trees, butterflies, spider webs. You will also find decorative wire bowls, bracelets, reptiles. Colourful plates made from wire and matching under plates can also be seen.
Many of the Zulu crafters and artists began selling their art in public markets instead of small roadside stands in order to bring in more customers; however, a great many wire artists realized the value of their work and began opening up art shops and elegant and sophisticated galleries to display many different types of art work.
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.
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