The artwork entitled “Africa 9” was created by Robert Motherwell in 1970. This piece is a part of the Abstract Expressionism and Lyrical Abstraction movements, and it falls under the genre of abstract art.
The artwork features a prominent, abstract black form against a light backdrop, evoking a sense of bold contrast and dynamic composition. The black shape dominates the canvas, creating a stark interplay between the negative space and the solid figure. The organic, fluid lines and irregular shapes characteristic of Motherwell’s style imbue the piece with an expressive and contemplative quality. The minimalist approach, with its undulating contours, ensures that the viewer’s focus remains on the form and its surrounding emptiness, inviting interpretation and introspection. Through its abstract nature, the artwork challenges traditional representations and embraces a more evocative and open-ended mode of visual expression.