New Vision of African Art at The Newark Museum

Monday, 29 January 2007 08:11

NEWARK, NJ -- The stereotypical view of African art as limited to masks, figural sculptures and textiles is just one of the interesting issues put under the microscope by a new exhibition at The Newark Museum entitled Expanding Africa: New Art, New Directions.  The exhibition will be on view through March 18, 2007 at the Newark Museum.

Exploring aspects of African art often overlooked by American museums is not new to Christa Clarke, Ph.D., the Museum’s Curator of Africa, the Americas and the Pacific.  Last year, the Museum won wide acclaim for the exhibition she mounted entitled Power Dressing: Men’s Fashion and Prestige in Africa. 

The new exhibition introduces 22 contemporary works produced between the late 1960’s and 2006 by eight artists from different geographic and cultural backgrounds.  “While these artists respond to their African homeland and its rich cultural legacy in their work,” Dr. Clarke said, “they do so in new and unexpected ways.  Their subject matter is equally wide-ranging, encompassing issues of self-representation and identity as well as broader social and political concerns.”

“Expanding Africa broadens our understanding of African art,” Dr. Clarke continued, “by providing a glimpse of the on-going artistic creativity of this dynamic continent.”  The exhibition includes works in wood or clay, media traditionally associated with African art; non-conventional materials, such as bottle caps, as well as others adopted from Western art forms such as prints, photography and painting.

“With this new exhibition,” said Museum Director Mary Sue Price, “Dr. Clarke raises challenging questions about the nature of African art and how it is collected and displayed in a museum.”

The exhibition weaves these challenges creatively into the viewing experience by including the artists’ commentaries throughout the exhibition, offering their perspectives on identity, inspiration and artistic practice. Visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to share their thoughts on the exhibition via an on-line Message Board (www.NewarkMuseum.org/expandingafrica).  A podcast, narrated by the curator, will also be available to download beginning in late September.

ABOUT THE NEWARK MUSEUM
The Newark Museum is located at 49 Washington Street in the Downtown/Arts District of Newark, New Jersey, just 3 blocks from NJPAC and 10 miles west of New York City. The Museum is open all year round: For general information, call 973-596-6550 or visit our web site, http://www.NewarkMuseum.org. The Newark Museum, a not-for-profit museum of art, science and education, receives operating support from the City of Newark; the State of New Jersey; the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; the New Jersey Cultural Trust; and corporate, foundation and individual donors.