Final answer:
The predominant export destination of West African art historically was to European countries like Portugal, and today, it is showcased globally due to a mix of factors including travel, communication, and the artists' embrace of their own traditions with global influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The predominant export destination of West African art varied over time. During the medieval period, kingdoms like Ghana, Mali, and Songhay traded commodities like gold, ivory, and slaves with European merchants, primarily from Portugal.
However, with the establishment of separate governments and integration into the global community in the 1980s, African artists embraced worldwide concepts while maintaining their own cultures and traditions. Contemporary African art is diverse and influenced by the historical events and cultures of the artists' ancestors and families.
In summary, West African art was exported to European countries like Portugal during the medieval period, and today, it is showcased globally as a result of increased travel, communication, and the artists' embrace of their own traditions and global influences.