Exhibitions

African Art in the Life Cycle At California State University, Northridge Art Galleries; the exhibition thematically displays artworks from across the continent that play a significant role in particular phases of life in Africa, including childhood, adolescence, marriage, parenthood and death.

Ceremonial mask and costume (Mende's Poro Secret Society) 20th century Cloth checkerboard patterned headdress flanked with raffia. Two raffia bands worn below knee, oval-shaped animal skin shield worn over abdomen and raffia ring. Thirteen wooden planks dangling from backside of headdress. View

(Mali, Bamana people) 20th century Headdress, Chi Wara head piece with antelope figures; Typical vertical form of mother with offspring on back; long straight horns with incised spiral design on both; atop basketry cap covered with black braiding. Carved in traditional style but not ritually used. View

(Ibibio people of Nigeria) 20th century Standing male shrine figure wears wrist bracelets and anklets. Crested helmet shows extensive age. Probably once completely covered in white powdery pigment, now traces left. View

(Yoruba people of Nigeria) 20th century Ere Ibeji figures, twin female figures, beautiful patina, conical hairstyle, beaded adornments added as symbols of wealth and prestige. View

(Yoruba people of Nigeria) 20th century Ere Ibeji figure. Aluminum and beaded armlets, bullet lead eyes, male/female. Decorations added by mother of twins to honor Ro, goddess and protector of mother of deceased. View

(Yoruba people of Nigeria) 20th century Ere Ibeji figure. Aluminum and beaded armlets, bullet lead eyes, male/female. Decorations added by mother of twins to honor Aro, goddess and protector of mother of deceased. View

(Ibo People of Nigeria) 20th century Figure representing fattened initiate; body painted pink with traditional body paint of black curvilinear lines; four cone-like braids; articulated arms; wearing three hip rings View

Figure, Mama wata (Nigeria, Ibo People) 20th Century Full standing female figure painted pink; wearing striped, short western-style dress; snakes encircling waist; separately carved larger snake craved in three parts and nailed together and which fits into upraised arms of figure; facial marks painted in black; atop irregular curvilinear base. View

(Ibibio people of Nigeria) 20th century Carved wooden doll with movable arms; this doll type represents the anticipated idealistic beauty of the first child of the doll's owner. Young Ibibio girls before initiation into adulthood, are put into seclusion, taught feminine roles and encouraged to gain weight to become more attractive as a bride and mother-to-be. Articulated arms, classic hair style, traditional form of concentric circular rings at waist, beautiful naturalistic features, white and black coloration. View

(Sierra Leone) 20th century Bundu-style helmet mask. Female face with small open slit eyes with three vertical scarification marks below eyes; carving with Loma influence; five-lobed, crested hairstyle with crescent braid at top; braided detail on back. View

(Baule of the Côte d’Ivoire) unknown Red painted wood sculpture of standing male officer holding rifle in front of him. Traces of white and brown paint throughout figure with geometric design on base. View

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