On Jung, Archetypes, Aesthetics, and Culture in the Art from the African Diaspora

ABSTRACT This paper reviews the nature of archetypes in analytical theory, grounded in the transpersonal archetype of the life cycle. It then examines the nature of aesthetics, the aesthetic attitude, aesthetic inquiry, and aesthetic practices in the art and psyche of C. G. Jung and in the art of the African Diaspora. In the art of the African Diaspora the primary focus is on Pan African sculpture and the influences of African culture on aesthetics. These cultural influences include historiography, religion, mythology, ethnic group style, techniques, artistic skills, and an African aesthetic criteria of excellence to help see beauty within and across cultures. The approach to the subject matter adopts an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing from the literature in analytical psychology on Jung, his art and psyche; on contributions to African art historiography by contemporary art historians and curators of African Art; and from the personal aesthetic inquiry and clinical practice of the author. It concludes with consideration of the psychological properties of aesthetics, aesthetic practices, and the power of active imagination in healing personal and collective intergenerational trauma, and for optimal development across the life span.