Shapes, Colors, & Meanings:

Burkina Faso MasksBy Sharjeel Fraz (Sergio)

AboutMy name is Sergio, and I am a Media Design scholar studying at Agricultural and Technical State University of Greensboro North Carolina. My research is on shapes and colors used in African art, specifically Bobo masks of Burkina

Faso. This study is important towards my career path as a designer, and this class has benefited me in a great way in helping unfold the meaning behind designs. I want to make

designs that are not just visually appealing, but describable if questioned.

Shape BreakdownA boundary defined on a two-dimensional plane, generally put together through lines, form, space, color, value and texture.Geometric Shapes

Lines and angles can be calculated, resulting in less flexibility, and are often symmetrical.

Organic Shapes

Free flowing, curvy lines, angles, and natural. Generally asymmetrical without real uniform measurements.

Circle unity, wholeness, infinity (no beginning or end), protection (shield), sun. Spiritual meanings: air, fire, water or earth.

Trianglepast, present, and future, or mind, body, and spirit. Spiritual elements: pointing up, masculine (fire/air), pointing down feminine (water/earth). Summoning symbol.Spiralfeminine symbol for fertility, cycle of rebirth, lifecycle, female goddess. Sun or solar system, universe, galaxy. 5th element (spirit)

Squarethe 4 seasons (winter, summer, spring, fall), 4 elements (air, fire,water, earth), 4 directions (east, west, north, south). Order and stability, or civilization. Spiritual meanings when combined with circle.

Color Breakdown

Important Note: Meaning of color varies on culture

Shape RecognitionMasks out of Burkina Faso will usually consist of many repeated geometric shapes, such as triangles, circles, and seldom, squares. Taking into consideration that these masks have spiritual meaning, and were created to wear on occasions, perform rituals, celebrate birth, communicate with God, tame evil (bush) spirits, and keep balance between man and nature, the use of these geometric shapes make perfect sense.

Color RecognitionCommonly used colors on the Burkina Faso masks are black, white, and red.Black meaning power, protection, death, evil and mysterious. White meaning purity, good will, positivity, unity, and equality. Red meaning danger, energy, passion, love, and determination. Unquestionably these colors work right into the lifestyle of the Bobo people, and the reason these masks came to be.

Concluding StatementWhen the audience understands the

reasoning behind the artist’s decisions in the shapes they create or colors they choose,

whether you have to tell them or they were able to figure it out, is priceless to me. The

connection of culture with the African artifacts sets a great principle to me as a designer in

making meaningful decisions.

Work CitedBeyer, Catherine. "Geometric Shapes." About. Web. 23 June 2014. Color Psychology. Digital image. Home Design. Web. 23 June 2014. Kietzman, Shannon. "What Are Organic Shapes?" WiseGEEK. 21 June 2014. Web. 23 June 2014. "Meaning of Colors in Color Psychology." Empowered By Color. Web. 22 June 2014.