Spirits, Relics and Rituals: The John Korachis Collection of African Art

Exhibit Dates: March 25, 2007 - September 2, 2007

Approximately 75 objects from this private collection of 20th century objects will inspire viewers with the intrigue and mystery of African Art.

European encounters with the arts of African peoples south of the Sahara desert profoundly influenced western art, contributing to the individual; styles of many noted artists, such as Picasso, who is known for using African mask forms in his paintings.

Throughout the 20th century, a growing interest in African art in the Western world has spurred unprecedented collecting by museums and private individuals. It has also encouraged art historical research, throwing light on the history, meaning and significance of Africa's arts. Indigenous African arts generally have tended to be functional and often have had some social relevance within the cultures that produced them. Masks and carved figures were part of daily life of peoples and communities and might have been featured in periodic religious activities.

As collecting of African artworks expanded in the last century and the number of pieces in circulation that were used in daily life diminished, African artists sought to meet the rising demand by producing versions of original cultural objects. These works were not always used in a functional way by the various African societies; still they reflected the forms, styles and subject matter of known original pieces that inspired them.

The John F. Korachis collection of African art is composed mostly of objects from the second half of the 20th century. The works often reflect the interpretations of individual artists and hence may not always represent in detail the original works they are drawn from. In some cases, such recent works stand alone as objects, blending influences from multiple African cultures. Still, they offer insights into the dynamism of African cultures and the extraordinary craftsmanship and inventiveness of contemporary African artists working in the traditional style. Hence we can use this imagery to understand the lifestyles and beliefs of Africa's diverse cultures.

The exhibition's geographic focus is the two broad regions of Western and Central Africa and encompasses mostly cultures located in the modern nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.