Crosscurrents: Art of the Southeastern Congo

Unknown artist. Luba peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo Ceremonial axe (kibiki). 19th-20th centuries Wood, iron Smith College Museum of Art Purchased with the Drayton Hillyer Fund (1939:9-1) Photograph by Petegorsky/Gipe

Inspired by the Museum’s three finest works of African sculpture, “Crosscurrents” explores the art of three neighboring peoples whose territories are located in the river systems of the southeastern Congo.

The Luba, Songye, and Hemba peoples have a long history of contact, while maintaining differences in language, social and political systems, cultural memory, and artistic expression.

The exhibition is composed of works that are distinctive artistic representations of these peoples, and those that demonstrate a fluidity of cultural exchange and cross-influences.

Read more details, see some images, read explanations like why some woods are oily, and find more resources in the members section below…

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African art exhibition “Fleuve Congo” comes to Singapore

By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 08 December 2010

Fleuve Congo François Neyt, Sté…

SINGAPORE : A major African art exhibition is making its international debut in Southeast Asia.

And although these two continents are oceans apart, curators want to show there are more similarities than you think.

The sculpture of a kneeling mother with a child on her back would have been kept in cemeteries to guard the dead.

Upon closer look, you will notice that her eyes are inlaid with glass – believed to enable her to see the spiritual world.

Such pieces reflect the societal and spiritual values upheld by the Bantu-speaking people.

“It’s very important. Why? Because they honoured the deceased persons and they pray to them to protect the village and all the persons around them,” explained Francois Neyt, executive curator of Congo River: Arts of Central Africa.

If you are from a Southeast Asian country, chances are you would’ve heard this theme before. Find a link to a video of the exhibition below or read more about fleuve congo.

Dr Alan … ...

In this article you’ll learn how a museum repositioned itself with a new concept to setup an African art exhibition, taking a prominent position in a new city, to create a “boutique museum” experience, and new ways to get the word out about the museum’s educational offerings and exhibits.