AFRICAN AND TRIBAL ARTS AND ARTIFACTS ON VIEW AT WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY A selection of African art and artifacts, including sculpture, masks, jewelry, dress, baskets and decorated gourds, will be on view in the Ben Shahn Galleries at William Paterson University in Wayne from January 25 through February 26. The exhibit is a partial selection from the nearly 700 objects gifted to the University by Joan and Gordan Tobias, private collectors who frequently traveled to Africa and gathered the pieces over a 30 year period. One of the pieces in the collection, a tribal knife, says Gordon Tobias, was purchased by his father from President Theodore Roosevelt. "We have a deep respect for tribal art," says Tobias, and "we selected the pieces primarily on the basis of artistic beauty. Too few people have been exposed to this art," he adds, "and we are looking forward to everyone enjoying the exhibit." Since African sculptural art dates back to about 450 B.C., many of the works exhibited belong to an old artistic tradition, says Nancy Einreinhofer, director of the Galleries. Therefore, many of the objects have anthropological as well as artistic significance. The exhibit of 20th century works includes a wooden "Reliquary Guardian Figure," decorated with copper strips and plates. Originating in Gabon, Africa, this was the type of figure placed on baskets containing skulls and bones of ancestors to guard them from evil forces. A "Commemorative Head of a Queen Mother" from the Edo People of Benen Kingdom is also on display. A hollow brass piece with thinly cast walls of copper alloy, it was used as a shrine in a palace to commemorate the role of a Queen Mother in a recent war. Other African objects include an "Antelope Headdress," strapped to the head during harvest festivals, and a "Ceremonial Stool" that was a supreme symbol of leadership. The exhibit is being held during February to commemorate African-American Heritage Month. A closing reception for the exhibit will be held on Wednesday, February 24 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the galleries. Also on view in the Ben Shahn Galleries from January 25 through February 26 are "Thomas Waterman Wood Images of African-Americans in the Civil War Era" and the "William Paterson University Art Alumni Biennial." Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For additional information, please call the Ben Shahn Galleries at 973-720-2654. # # # |