Earth Matters: Land as Material and Metaphor

TBA
TBA

This exhibition examines how the Earth is conceived of and aestheticized in cultural expression as both a material source of sustenance and as a symbol of human connection in Africa and the African diaspora.

Chief S.O. Alonge: Photographer to the Court of Benin, 1926-1989

TBA
TBA

This exhibition features selected photographs and other material that explore the history of photography in Nigeria, with a concentration on the contributions of Alonge.

Central Nigeria Unmasked: Arts of the Benue River Valley

Now - February 12, 2012
Sublevel 2

The Benue River Valley is the source of some of the most abstract, dramatic, and inventive sculpture in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, the many, diverse peoples flanking the 650-mile Benue River and their fascinating arts are far less known and studied than the populations living in northern and southern Nigeria. Central Nigeria Unmasked is the first major international exhibition to present a comprehensive view of the arts produced in the region. The more than 150 objects include full-bodied maternal images, sleek columnar statues, helmet masks adorned with naturalistic human faces, horizontal masks designed as stylized animal-human fusions, imaginatively anthropomorphized ceramic vessels, and elaborate regalia forged in iron and cast in copper alloys. 

Related catalogue: $75 (paperback), $100 (hardcover)

Pronunciation key: Benue = BEN-new-way

African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting

Indefinitely
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.

Brave New World

Now - November 27, 2012
Sublevel 1

The National Museum of African Art celebrates its 2008 acquisition of the mesmerizing, video-based artwork Brave New World II with a small, focused installation of contemporary works from its permanent collection that examines the theme of travel. In this new world, grainy film footage of dancers performing in a restaurant in Bali join stencils of body builders and prints named after Bob Dylan tunes to give vision to the very real, global experiences of African artists.

The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection Highlights

Now - April 15, 2012
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

Indefinitely
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.