News Summary
The New Orleans Museum of Art has opened a new exhibition titled ‘New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations’ featuring vibrant masquerade art from West Africa. Running until August, the exhibition highlights works by renowned artists who explore the cultural significance and continuing evolution of masquerade traditions through various immersive multimedia elements. Organized in collaboration with the Musée des Civilisations noires in Dakar, the exhibition emphasizes ethical representation of artists and their communities.
New Orleans Welcomes New Exhibition on West African Masquerades
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) opened an extensive exhibition titled “New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations” on April 4, 2025. This carefully curated exhibition will remain on display until August 10, 2025, presenting the vibrant art of masquerading in contemporary West African culture.
The exhibition showcases a collection of works created by four well-known artists: Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa from Nigeria, Sheku “Goldenfinger” Fofanah from Sierra Leone, David Sanou from Burkina Faso, and Hervé Youmbi from Cameroon. Together, they provide an intimate perspective into the rich tapestry of masquerade traditions across diverse societies, cultures, and religions in West Africa.
Highlighting the Artwork
Visitors to NOMA can expect to see 13 full masquerade ensembles that include masks, headpieces, and costumes crafted from various materials, including wood, textiles, sequins, feathers, gourds, raffia, and cowry shells. Each piece showcases unique artistry and reflects the continuing evolution of masquerade as a contemporary artistic practice.
Alongside the physical works, the exhibition features immersive multimedia elements. This includes photographs and video presentations that capture both performances of the masquerade ensembles and interviews with the artists who crafted them. This innovative aspect aims to engage visitors interactively, providing deeper insight into the creative process and cultural significance behind the work.
Collaboration and Ethical Considerations
The exhibition is organized in partnership with the Musée des Civilisations noires in Dakar, Senegal, and emphasizes ethical collaboration with the participating artists and their communities. The approach ensures that all artists and their works are represented fairly and with proper permissions for display.
The curatorial team selected the featured artists based on their connections within their respective societies, focusing on their unique expressions rather than presenting a generalized view of African art. This intention reflects a more individualized narrative of West African masquerade traditions.
Future Travels and Impact
Following its debut in New Orleans, the exhibition is set to travel to various locations, including:
- Frist Art Museum in Nashville, TN: Oct. 10, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
- San Antonio Museum of Art, TX: Feb. 27 – July 5, 2026
- Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL: Sept. 2026 – Jan. 2027
- Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.: Feb. 19 – Sept. 26, 2027
- Musée des Civilisations noires, Dakar, Senegal: Feb. – June 2026
- Sierra Leone National Museum, Freetown: Fall 2026
- National Museum, Calabar, Nigeria: 2027
Support and Resources
A fully illustrated exhibition catalog accompanies “New African Masquerades”, edited by Amanda M. Maples, Jordan A. Fenton, and Lisa Homann, and includes contributions from various authors. This resource aims to document the exhibition’s features and its significance within the broader context of West African art.
The exhibition has been made possible through funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, which supported research, production, and travel for the participating artists and curators. The presentation highlights the importance of masquerade art in the contemporary Western dialogue on African culture and contributes to an understanding of its ongoing transformation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Culture Type: New African Masquerades
- Forbes: Contemporary West African Masquerade Comes to New Orleans
- NOLA: New Orleans Museum of Art Exhibition
- Observer: Art Exhibition Review
- Hyperallergic: NOMA Highlights Contemporary West African Masquerade Artists
- Wikipedia: Masquerade
- Google Search: African Masquerade art
- Google Scholar: West African masquerade
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Masquerade
- Google News: West African masquerade traditions
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