Ancestors
Arts and Artifacts of Africa
Exhibition dates: March 11 – April 16, 2016
The exhibit is curated by Governors State University art professor Arthur Bourgeois. The exhibit will include traditional African art objects, accompanied by illustrations.
All traditional African art objects, in an extended sense, refer to ancestors whether, they are intended to depict them or not. Some symbolize spirits and others represent powerful objects of magic or reference ancestral wisdom. Ancestors are believed to be intermediaries.
More than ninety works of art will be on display. Most are carved of wood, others are made of ceramic, and some cast in bronze. Most of the objects date from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Art objects will be accompanied by photographic wall murals of traditional life in Sub-Sahara Africa.
A catalog highlighting the pieces and giving supporting information will be available for purchase. None of the art objects will be for sale.
Working with Bourgeois are Peter Gould, collector and lender of the objects; Scott Rodolitz, Africanist colleague from New Hampshire; Nick Pryor, photographer and layout artist for the catalog; and Mike Hanson, the driver/exhibition installer.
