a selling exhibition of authentic
TRIBAL
ART
including
a stunning collection of Malian masquerade puppetry, alongside masks,
sculptures, textiles, ethnographic items, currencies, beads and beadwork.
SUNDAY 5th - SATURDAY 11th June 2005
open 12 - 6 pm daily
ELMS LESTERS
PAINTING ROOMS
FLITCROFT STREET
LONDON
WC2H 8DH
t: 020 7836 6747
f: 020 7379 0789
e: fiona@elmslesters.co.uk
w: http://www.elmslesters.co.uk
nearest
underground: Tottenham Court Road
admission: free
This exhibition
will include a prized collection of highly decorative painted puppets
from the Bozo, Bamana and Marka people of Mali, West Africa.
Masquerading is still an important aspect of Malian life today with
its cultural significance undergoing constant change, with new ideas
being merged with old, and western ideas replacing traditional values.
The masquerades take place at different times of the year in various
communities: some at the beginning of the planting season, others are
performed towards the end of the year, after the harvest but before
the rains.
The anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures in the masquerades celebrate
agricultural labour, portray historic and mythical figures, and depict
contemporary leaders, elders, hunters, village personalities, foreigners,
heroes, villains and powerful animals, and act out satirical commentaries
on local events.
For years, serious collectors have overlooked these stunning, brightly
painted, carved wood and cloth articulated puppets, preferring the more
traditional, highly patinaed wooden sculptures and masks, but increasingly,
as masquerade puppetry can be found in collections in major museums,
fine examples are being sought out by a new, younger clientele, who
appreciate their boldness and vitality and how comfortably they can
be juxtaposed with contemporary art and interiors.
Also, for sale at the exhibition, will be authentic masks, sculptures,
textiles, currencies, beads and beadwork from throughout the African
continent.
All items
are for sale from £30 - £3000
For further
information or images please contact:
Fiona McKinnon
t: 020
7836 6737
f: 020 7379 0789
e: fiona@elmslesters.co.uk
