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Introduction to the exhibition "Art in Cameroon: Sculptural Dialogues" on view at the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, SUNY, April 23-August 14, 2011. More info at neuberger.org
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Art in Cameroon: Sculptural DialoguesApril 23–August 14, 2011
Neuberger Museum of Art
neuberger.org | 914-251-6100
Art in Cameroon: Sculptural Dialogues
highlights two iconic works in the Neuberger
Museum of Art’s African art collection—a
nineteenth-century carved wooden Bangwa figure
and a mid-twentieth-century intricately incised
ivory tusk from the Kedjom Kitingu Kingdom.
The exhibition also features twenty-eight major
loans from museums and private collections,
including ten drawn from European and Canadian
collections.
Carved TuskBabanki-Tungo Kedjom-Kitungu KingdomMid-20th century, ivory35 1/8 x 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches
Collection Neuberger Museum of ArtPurchase College, State University of New YorkGift of Lawrence Gussman in memory of Dr. Albert Schweitzer (Next page: detail)
Commemorative Figure (anyi or ngwindem)Unidentified Bangwa KingdomEarly 20th centuryAttributed to a master carver, Ateu Atsa or Efuetlacha, or his workshopWood, 34 1/2 x 8 x 7 1/2 inchesCollection Neuberger Museum of ArtPurchase College, State University of New YorkGift of Eliot P. Hirshberg from the Aimee W. HirshbergCollection of African Art
Commemorative Figure (lefem)Unidentified Bangwa KingdomEarly 20th centuryAttributed to a master carver, Ateu Atsa or Efuetlacha, or his workshopWood, 30 x 8 x 8 inchesCollection Guy Laliberté, Cirque du Soleil, Montréal, Canada(Next page: details)
In the Cameroon Grassfields,
commemorative figures represent
kings, chiefs, nobles, princesses, and
noble royal wives.
Commemorative Figure (lefem)Unidentified Bangwa KingdomEarly 20th centuryWood34 x 9 x 7 ½ inchesPrivate Collection
Mask (akam)Unidentified Kingdom, Aghem/Fungom region20th centuryWood, fiber, human hair21 x 11 x 15 inchesPrivate Collection
This mask belonged to a
clan’s elder. It led
performances which
included an array of
characters such as the
warrior, the old man, and
animal representations
ranging from the buffalo to
the elephant.
Seated Figure Holding a BowlBaham Kingdom19th centuryWood and beads24 ½ x 14 ¼ x 12 inchesCollection Laura and James J. Ross(Next page: detail)
Symbolizing the ruler’s
wealth and authority,
beaded sculptures are
prevalent among the
kingdoms of the Cameroon
Grassfields. This sculpture
was most likely displayed
during important royal
ceremonies.
Throne Stool Kuk Kingdom19th centuryWood, tin, foil
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (inv.no. C 23835)
Throne stools decorated with
an astonishing range of human
and animal motifs can often be
seen in the Grassfields region.
They are the privilege of the
king’s dignitaries or the eldest
of the family clan.
This piece inspired a new
creation by contemporary
Mexican artist Betsabeé
Romero that is included in the
exhibition Betsabeé Romero:
Lagrimas Negras also at the
Neuberger Museum of Art.
Art in Cameroon: Sculptural DialoguesApril 23–August 14, 2011
Neuberger Museum of Art
Art in Cameroon: Sculptural Dialogues was curated by Marie-Thérèse Brincard, Neuberger Museum Curatorial Advisor for the African collection.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue with a major essay written by Dr. Christraud Geary, Teel Senior Curator of African and Oceanic Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Funding for the exhibition was provided in part by the Neuberger Museum of Art African Arts Council; sustaining support is provided by ArtsWestchesterwith funds from Westchester County government; with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art.
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