African art collection showcased at the Speed
The J.B. Speed Art Museum will highlight its fine collection of African art — including some recently acquired pieces never before shown at the Speed — in a special exhibition through July.
Among the new pieces are an impressive Yoruba mask, Kente cloth and a fine Zulu earthenware beer vessel. As with all of the Speed Art Museum's permanent collections, viewing the African exhibition is free.
The permanent collection ranges from 17th century pieces, like a carved wooden horse and rider by a Yoruba artist and a bronze Altar of the Hand, used by the court of the Kingdom of Benin (now Nigeria), to contemporary sculptures by Yinka Shonibare, a Nigerian artist who explores issues of race and class thorugh sculpture painting and photography. Shonibare was nominated for Great Britain's Turner Prize in 2004.
Athough admission to the permanent collections is free, the Speed suggests a $4 donation.
Posted by Ivonne Rovira
