Understanding African Art | The Kojo Nnamdi Show

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Understanding African Art

Listen Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. in Arts & Culture, History, Society

Nearly half a century ago, a man named Warren Robbins opened his basement gallery of African art to the public. Today, that underground exhibition is the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art. The museum is often overshadowed by better-known offerings on the Mall, but it's about to launch its most ambitious exhibition ever. We talk with its new leader, former Spelman College President Johnnetta B. Cole.

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Guests

Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole

Director, National Museum of African Art

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The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art's "Artful Animals" is a family-friendly exhibition of artworks that presents the animals of Africa in a new light. It runs through Feb. 21, 2010. The piece above, "Fante peoples," is by artist Kweku Kakanu, born ca. 1910.<div><em>Photograph by Franco Khoury; All gallery images courtesy of Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art</em></div>
The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art's "Artful Animals" is a family-friendly exhibition of artworks that presents the animals of Africa in a new light. It runs through Feb. 21, 2010. The piece above, "Fante peoples," is by artist Kweku Kakanu, born ca. 1910.
Photograph by Franco Khoury; All gallery images courtesy of Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art
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Crest Mask. Ejagham peoples, Nigeria, Late 19th-late 20th century<div><em>Photograph by Franko Khoury</em></div>
Silt Gong. Lobala or Yangere peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Late 19th-early 20th century<div><em>Photograph by Franko Khoury</em></div>
Pintades. Pilipili Mulongoy, born 1914, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ilunga, born Democratic Republic of the Congo ca. 1950<div><em>Photograph by Franko Khoury</em></div>
Moon and Dog. David Koloane, born 1938, South Africa, 1995<div><em>Photograph by Franko Khoury</em></div>
Painting. Kaballa, born 1920, Democratic Republic of the Congo ca., 1940s-1950s<div><em>Photograph by Franko Khoury</em></div>
Starting Nov. 10, the museum presents the renowned Nigerian, London-based artist Yinka Shonibare's works including dramatic sculptural tableaux, paintings, photographs, and film.<div><em>Photo by Charlotte Player</em></div>
Double Dutch. Acrylic paint on wall, emulsion and acrylic on Dutch wax printed cotton. 1994.<div><em>Jean Vong</em></div>
Headless Man Trying to Drink . Life-size fiberglass mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton, polymer gypsum fountain, water pump. 2005. Collection of Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy<div><em>Photo by Stephen White</em></div>
The Swing (After Fragonard). Fiberglass mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton, mixed media. Tate, Purchased 2001.<div><em>Photo by Ahlburg Keate Photography; image courtesy of Yinka Shonibare, James Cohan Gallery, New York and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London</em></div>
Black Gold 1. Acrylic paint on Dutch wax printed cotton canvas, 2006.<div><em>Photo by Franko Khoury</em></div>
Scramble for Africa. 14 fiberglass mannequins, 14 chairs, table, Dutch was printed cotton, 2003.<div><em>Photo by Stephen White; image courtesy of Yinka Shonibare, James Cohan Gallery, New York and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London</em></div>
Globe Children. Fiberglass mannequins, Dutch wax. Collection of Ellis Ketcham Johnson and Leah Antonio Ketcham. 2008.<div><em>Image courtesy of the collection of Ellis Ketcham Johnson and Leah Antonio Ketcham.</em></div>
19th Century Kid (Queen Victoria). Cloth, synthetic fiber, dyes, wood, metal, leather, acrylic paint on Dutch wax printed cotton canvas.<div><em>Photo by Franko Khoury</em></div>

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