Essence of Africa difficult to capture in single show

"Africa is everywhere, so pervasive in our lives that we barely see it." So begins a review of a Manhatten exhibition, The Global Africa Project, in The New York Times.

Once in a while, a project intended to capture the essence of Africa is launched internationally, which reminds the world of everything African. The greatest criticism of such projects, and here I am also thinking of Africa Remix at the Haywood Gallery, London, in 2008, is that it's impossible to coherently curate an exhibition when you are covering such a large geographical, political and social area.

Africa is not a country, nor is it a theme, and trying to capture its voice in one exhibition is not going to succeed.

Nevertheless, there is apparently much to enjoy in an exhibition of visual work from Africa, or in this case also of Africa-descended or African-influenced artists.

One critic of The Global Africa Project said the profusion of styles and interests displayed was head-spinning.

However, what this show does achieve, according to The New York Times, through its display of ceramics, basketry, textiles, jewellery, furniture and fashion, as well as architecture, photography, painting and sculpture, is that it "actively challenges conventional notions of a singular African aesthetic or identity".

It probably also correctly challenges any singular understanding of South African design and craft.

Of the 100 artists represented, 19 are South African. Their work is wide-ranging: a sculptural light-fitting from Willowlamp, traditional ceramics, basketry and craft from Zenzulu and a Black Coffee fashion installation.

The purpose of the selection, according to the museum's website, is to show diverse creators who are experimenting with the fusion of traditional and contemporary art-making, and artists who are initiating social and economic change.

It also aims to explore the "impact of African visual culture on contemporary art, craft, and design around the world".

Co-curator of the project Lowery Stokes Sims said the show's variety demonstrates the impossibility of defining a particular "African sensibility".

" I think that, if a person comes and think s they know what this exhibition is about, and they're confused - that's exactly what we want them to be."

• The Global Africa Project is at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, until May 15.