Art in Cameroon: Sculptural DialoguesApril 23–August 14, 2011

Neuberger Museum of Art

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Art in Cameroon: Sculptural Dialogues

highlights two iconic works in the Neuberger

Museum of Art’s African art collection—a

nineteenth-century carved wooden Bangwa figure

and a mid-twentieth-century intricately incised

ivory tusk from the Kedjom Kitingu Kingdom.

The exhibition also features twenty-eight major

loans from museums and private collections,

including ten drawn from European and Canadian

collections.

Carved TuskBabanki-Tungo Kedjom-Kitungu KingdomMid-20th century, ivory35 1/8 x 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches

Collection Neuberger Museum of ArtPurchase College, State University of New YorkGift of Lawrence Gussman in memory of Dr. Albert Schweitzer (Next page: detail)

Commemorative Figure (anyi or ngwindem)Unidentified Bangwa KingdomEarly 20th centuryAttributed to a master carver, Ateu Atsa or Efuetlacha, or his workshopWood, 34 1/2 x 8 x 7 1/2 inchesCollection Neuberger Museum of ArtPurchase College, State University of New YorkGift of Eliot P. Hirshberg from the Aimee W. HirshbergCollection of African Art

Commemorative Figure (lefem)Unidentified Bangwa KingdomEarly 20th centuryAttributed to a master carver, Ateu Atsa or Efuetlacha, or his workshopWood, 30 x 8 x 8 inchesCollection Guy Laliberté, Cirque du Soleil, Montréal, Canada(Next page: details)

In the Cameroon Grassfields,

commemorative figures represent

kings, chiefs, nobles, princesses, and

noble royal wives.

Commemorative Figure (lefem)Unidentified Bangwa KingdomEarly 20th centuryWood34 x 9 x 7 ½ inchesPrivate Collection

Mask (akam)Unidentified Kingdom, Aghem/Fungom region20th centuryWood, fiber, human hair21 x 11 x 15 inchesPrivate Collection

This mask belonged to a

clan’s elder. It led

performances which

included an array of

characters such as the

warrior, the old man, and

animal representations

ranging from the buffalo to

the elephant.

Seated Figure Holding a BowlBaham Kingdom19th centuryWood and beads24 ½ x 14 ¼ x 12 inchesCollection Laura and James J. Ross(Next page: detail)

Symbolizing the ruler’s

wealth and authority,

beaded sculptures are

prevalent among the

kingdoms of the Cameroon

Grassfields. This sculpture

was most likely displayed

during important royal

ceremonies.

Throne Stool Kuk Kingdom19th centuryWood, tin, foil

Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (inv.no. C 23835)

Throne stools decorated with

an astonishing range of human

and animal motifs can often be

seen in the Grassfields region.

They are the privilege of the

king’s dignitaries or the eldest

of the family clan.

This piece inspired a new

creation by contemporary

Mexican artist Betsabeé

Romero that is included in the

exhibition Betsabeé Romero:

Lagrimas Negras also at the

Neuberger Museum of Art.

Art in Cameroon: Sculptural DialoguesApril 23–August 14, 2011

Neuberger Museum of Art

Art in Cameroon: Sculptural Dialogues was curated by Marie-Thérèse Brincard, Neuberger Museum Curatorial Advisor for the African collection.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue with a major essay written by Dr. Christraud Geary, Teel Senior Curator of African and Oceanic Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Funding for the exhibition was provided in part by the Neuberger Museum of Art African Arts Council; sustaining support is provided by ArtsWestchesterwith funds from Westchester County government; with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art.