African Cosmos: Stellar Arts

June 20, 2012 - December 9, 2012
Sublevel 2

This first major exhibition of some 90 objects explores how the celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and stars and such celestial phenomena as rainbows and eclipses serve as sources of inspiration in the creation of African art, both traditional and contemporary. Far from abstract, African ideas about the universe are intensely personal and place human beings in relationships with the earth, sky, and celestial bodies.

Lalla Essaydi: Revisions

Now - February 24, 2013
Sublevel 1

Lalla Essaydi’s elegant, creative work belies it subversive, challenging nature. Approximately 30 works of diverse media are drawn from each of her photographic series, including the richly hued Silence of Thought and the more widely known Converging Territories and Les Femmes de Maroc. The is the first solo exhibition to bring together works of diverse media by Essaydi, which also includes a selection of new works, as well as rarely exhibited paintings and installations.

African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting

Permanent Exhibit
Sublevel 1

Like a colorful mosaic made from a thousand pieces of brilliant glass, African Mosaic features 112 objects that represent 10 years of building a permanent collection and reflect the diversity and outstanding quality of Africa's arts. On view are a variety of objects from gold jewelry and wooden figures to a coffin in the shape of a cell phone.

The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection Highlights

Now - October 13, 2013
Sublevel 1

On view are 60 objects and 4 in the lobby from this comprehensive 525-piece collection of African art representing 20 African countries and 75 peoples and covers 5 centuries of African art, including most major styles ranging from a highly abstract Cameroon mask to a naturalistic carved wooden male figure from Madagascar. Many of the works inspired such 20th-century artists as Picasso and Juan Gris.

Catalogue: $39.95 (paper)

Free family guide

Pavilion Sculptures

Permanent Exhibit
Pavilion

Serving as a welcome center, the pavilion features several contemporary and traditional objects, which are often on a large scale and rotated on a regular basis,  to show a cross section of  African art.