New Objects - January 2024
The link to enter the book giveaway is at the bottom of this page.
Chiwara pair
Wè dancer-entertainer mask
Wè beggars mask
Tiv mask
Hemba Singiti figure
Fon recade #2
Mbere stool
Pokot stool
Tonga-Lozi-Unidentified stool
Fon recade #1
Asante Akua'ba
Tanzanian medicine gourd #1
Tanzanian small stool
Tanzanian medicine gourd #1
Bamun flywhisk
Below is a new section of my website which consists of objects made in culture but made to be sold to outsiders.
I’m adding something new to my website which is a section that contains objects that were made by the culture that would normally make them, but are objects that, in my opinion, were made to be sold to outsiders so they show no real signs of use, but they aren’t artificially aged and don’t have manipulated patinas . Often times these objects are made by the same craftsmen/artists that would make objects for use within the culture. Sometimes the objects are visually very similar to ones made for use, but in some cases like the group of Lulua figures it gives the artist a freedom to show off and express their skills and craft objects that are unique.
Dan mask
Lulua figures
Book Giveaway!
Each month I add new objects to my website I am planning to do a book giveaway as I have a large group of great books that I have duplicates of in my African art library.
The book for this month’s giveaway is: "Inventing Masks: Agency and History in the Art of the Central Pende” (Paperback) by Z.S. Strother.
It is one of my favorite books about Pende masks and it gives a good insight into the history, purpose and thought process behind them, as well as the rites and ceremonies they belong to and how they come together. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Dr. Zoë Strother when she came to Denver for a visit this fall and I enjoyed talking to her about her years living amongst the Pende and her experiences with them, many of which are recounted in this book. Even if you don’t have quite the passion for Pende art that I do I think you’ll really enjoy this book if it’s not currently in your library. I’ve learned a lot from it.
Below the description and photo of the book you’ll find a link for a Google form to fill out in order to enter the drawing for the book. I will pay for shipping within the continental US, and I will split the shipping charge for the book with the winner outside the US. The book itself normally ranges from around $50 up to $100 on the book market.
I will do a random drawing for the book on January 31st and notify the winner then.
“Who invents masks, and why? Such questions have rarely been asked, due to stereotypes of anonymous African artists locked into the reproduction of "traditional" models of representation. Rather than accept this view of African art as timeless and unchanging, Z. S. Strother spent nearly three years in Zaire studying Pende sculpture. Her research reveals the rich history and lively contemporary practice of Central Pende masquerade. She describes the intensive collaboration among sculptors and dancers that is crucial to inventing masks. Sculptors revealed that a central theme in their work is the representation of perceived differences between men and women. Far from being unchanging, Pende masquerades promote unceasing innovation within genres and invention of new genres. Inventing Masks demonstrates, through first hand accounts and lavish illustrations, how Central Pende masquerading is a contemporary art form fully responsive to twentieth-century experience.” - 376 total pages, 9.75 x 0.75 x 6.75 inches, 2 pounds, written in English, 11 color and 109 duotone photographs, 1 map.
