African Art in the Crist Gallery


African Art in the Crist Gallery

Fall 2009 - TBD

Mint Museum of Art

Sande Society Mask (Bundu) 20th Century

Sierre Leone. Mende Peoples

Wood, raffia

Gift of Phillip M. Abrams. 1975.25.1

 

Powerful, raw, exciting, and dynamic, African art is inherently rich in cultural and spiritual significance. The human form is favored, as are themes of nature, birth, death, power and prestige. Twentieth century Avant –Garde artists, such as Modigliani, Matisse, and most famously, Picasso were heavily influenced and inspired by African art.

The works on display in the Crosland Gallery range from the 11th to the 20th centuries and utilize such materials as leather, cowrie shell, wood, beads, and cloth. A collection of Kuba cloths on display are on loan from local designer and collector Wesley Mancini. These embroidered raffia cloths demonstrate extraordinary technical mastery and were fashioned into ceremonial shirts and skirts. African Art in the Crosland Gallery showcases various mediums, including: masks, sculpture, pottery, and textiles. 

 

Online Resources:

 

Teacher's Resources:  

 

 Selected Print Resources in The Mint Museum Library:

 

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Created by Shannon Barringer, intern for The Mint Museum Library