Research into modern African art informs World Arts and Artefacts
Lecturer's research into African modern carving movements, artists and art education enhances the 2012 Africa core course.
Elsbeth Court, sessional lecturer on the core course, Africa, part of Birkbeck World Arts and Artefacts Cert HE, is currently researching the historiography of two ethnic, modern carving movements, those of the Akamba wood carving and Kisii stone sculpture. Her other research projects explore art education in tropical Africa and the practice of modern artists Hassan Musa (Sudan-France), Peterson Kamwathi (Kenya), Atta Kwami (Ghana) and Magdalene Odundo (Kenya-UK).
The 2012 Africa course incorporates this research, plus the content of two presentations Court made in August and September this year in Kenya and London. The theme of art education in Africa is also the focus for a series of talks at the Centre of African Studies, University of London, which is co-convened with Dr Charles Gore of SOAS.
Elsbeth Court lived in east Africa for 17 years and also presents gallery talks at the British Museum.