African
art embodies one of humanity's greatest achievements--fusing visual
imagery with spiritual beliefs and social purpose. Its technical achievements
and artistic perfection bear witness to the creative ingenuity of
its makers. Religious beliefs and cultural ideals find artistic expression
not only in masks and figures created primarily for ceremonial purposes,
but also in the utilitarian objects of daily life. The
collection of the National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) embraces
the diverse artistic expressions found throughout Africa, from ancient
to contemporary times. Collection objects range from ceramics, textiles,
furniture and tools to masks, figures and musical instruments. The
arts of painting, printmaking, sculpture and other media are well
represented by living artists whose works highlight individual creativity,
address global and local art trends and innovatively transform artistic
traditions into modern idioms.
We encourage you to discover Africa's rich
cultural diversity as you explore the collection. |