The Arts of Global Africa collection ranks among the nation’s earliest and most comprehensive, reflecting the rich diversity of artistic creativity on the continent and its global reach, both past and present.

Notable for its embrace of the entire continent and inclusion of historical as well as modern and contemporary art, the collection dates to 1917. It comprises some 7000 objects of various forms such as masks and figural statuary, objects of domestic use, dress and adornment, sculpture, photography, paintings, and new media. The museum has been at the forefront of American museums in its collecting and exhibiting arts of Africa with unique strengths, including arts of North Africa, textiles, Yoruba art, and modern and contemporary art.

 

Unrecorded Yoruba artist, Man with Bicycle, mid‑20th century​. Kano, Nigeria​. Wood, pigment, metal, 36 x 12 x 10 in. (91.4 × 30.5 × 25.4 cm)​. Purchase 1977 Wallace M. Scudder Bequest Fund and The Members' Fund | 77.285A,B​

Unrecorded artist, Zulu Apron, 1880. South Africa​. Glass beads, thread, 5 x 12 in. (12.7 x 30.5 cm). Gift of Berthold Audsley, 1917 | 17.479​

El Anatsui, Many Came Back, 2005​. Aluminum and copper wire, 84 × 115 × 8 in. (213.4 × 292.1 × 20.3 cm)​. Purchase 2005 The Members' Fund | 2005.34​ © El Anatsui

Unrecorded artist, Blanket, 1982​. Mali​. Cotton, 102 1/2 x 55 1/4 in. (260.4 x 140.3 cm). Purchase The Members' Fund, 1983 | 83.105​

El Anatsui, Many Came Back (detail), 2005​. Aluminum and copper wire, 84 × 115 × 8 in. (213.4 × 292.1 × 20.3 cm)​. Purchase 2005 The Members' Fund | 2005.34​ © El Anatsui


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