African Art hub

I created a African Art hub page to explain what you should look at to build a collection with genuine African Art. When I read the messages posted on the many discussion groups on the internet I see that most African Art collectors still strugle with the fact that they don't know how to recognise if a piece is AUTHENTIC or not.

I must tell you that even if I grew up with African Art myself, it is not an easy task and that even today, I have somethimes to live a few days with a piece of African Art before beeing able to put it in the category "genuine" or "fake".
And even then sometimes the answer is not 100% on one side or the other.

You must get experienced and see as many genuine pieces as possible.

I explain some of the resources to explore at the African Art hub

African Origines

Explore ancestral origins of African art at the Met

by RENEE MINUS WHITE Fashion & Beauty Editor

Originally posted 10/18/2007 at amsterdam news

From the heart of Africa’s equatorial rainforest, the Metropolitan Museum presents a special exhibition of acclaimed sculpture on view now through March 2, 2008.

This exhibition explores the significance of the works presented in their countries of origin, and how their reception in the West led them to enter the mainstream of universal art. Organized thematically, “ External Ancestors: The Art of Central African Reliquary” explains cultural and spiritual inspirations that led to their creation in equatorial Africa.

Drawn from the most important collections of African art in Europe and the United States, the more than 130 works featured in the exhibition relate to 12 distinct traditions in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

They were created to celebrate the lives of an extended family’s most notable ancestor.In the collection, there are many works that were sources of inspiration for early 20th century Western avant-garde artists who collected them and kept them in their studios.

Pablo Picasso, André Derain, Maurice de Vlaminck and Henri Matisse were among the many artists who not only collected African sculpture, but also studied this art in the newly formed ethnographic museums of the day.According to Alisa LaGamma, curator in the Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas at the Metropolitan and organizer of this exhibition, “‘External Ancestors’ seeks to reveal the mystery behind the original spiritual and social imperatives that led to their creation by examining the history of the reception of these African artifacts in the West. I believe that an awareness of what inspired them allows us to appreciate Africa’s heritage in a meaningful context.”

The exhibition opens with a series of comparisons between celebrated sculptures, such as 19th century Fang reliquaries that were created in Gabon with works from the Metropolitan’s superb medieval and Asian art collections. Among the highlights of the exhibition are the wood heads, half-figures, and full figures carved by Fang masters.

Also featured are two-dimensional wood figurative elements are sheathed in precious metals that were created by Kora and Mahongwe peoples in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo.Among the seminal examples on view is a Sculptural Element from a Reliquary Ensemble (from the Musée du Quai Branly) created by a Kota artist. Made of wood, brass and copper, this historically important piece was collected over the course of an exploratory journey to the region by the French 1883 expedition that was led by Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. Another distinctive genre consists of Bwende and Bembe soft sculptures from the Republic of Congo.

Among the most spectacular and rare examples is a life-size female figure by the Bwende master Mucosa of Kingoyi that was collected by the Swedish missionary Efrain Anderson in 1938 (from the Museum of World Culture).

Made possible in part by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the exhibit is accompanied by a film that emphasizes the importance of performance rites as devotional forms of expression and a catalogue, “External Ancestors: The Art of the Central African Reliquary,” published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and distributed by Yale Press.

The catalogue is available at the Museum’s bookshops for $65. This is a wonderful, educational exhibit for the family

read also : Ancestral Origins of African Masterpieces Explored

African Death

Zoologie in Paris

L'Exposition sur les Animaux au musée Dapper est fabuleuse. Il s'agit d'un musée privé, mais on sent la passion qui anime les organisateurs. On voit bien sur les grands classiques du Musée qui ont déjà été reproduit à plusieurs reprises, comme leur masque de Lion, ou le beau cavalier Dogon, mais j'y ai aussi découvert de merveilleux petits objets, ainsi que pas mal d'objets emprunté à des collectionneurs privés.

Si vous etes a Paris aller découvrir les trésors de Dapper.

José Vermeersch

José Vermeersch is a Modern Art Sculptor from Belgium represented by " Kunst galerij Neerman " a good friend of mine who also collect African Art.
The official site is www.jose-vermeersch.be .

His work make me think at chinese ceramics.

Official Dealer from the Art of José Vermeersch is Art Gallery Marnix Neerman Kloosterstraat 13 2000 Antwerpen (Belgium) 0032 475 96 44 14

See more from his work at Jose Vermeersch

Art Africain

J'ai posté quelques nouveaux articles en français sur mon site: art africain . Entre autre un interessant interview avec Pierre Amrouche, et un descriptif de la vente de Marc Ginzberg.

L'expo de Paris s'approche à grand pas. Quels sont ceux d'entre-vous qui viendront à Paris? repondez sur mon groupe de discussion : http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/AntiquesAfricaines/surveys?id=2256463

Vous etes bien sur tous le bienvenu au 73 rue de Seine, ou j'expose à la Galerie de Buci. Je vous promet d'apporter de tres beaux objets provenant d'anciennes collections. Entre autres j'ai réussi à denicher quelques objets ayant appartenu au peintre Floris Jespers.
Je ne vais pas trop en dire pour laisser la surprise à ceux désirant me visiter.

Norden.David
http://artafricain.info/

statues walk out of church

statues walk out of church I found a funny twist to the Paris Events September 07. Let's meet between 11 and 16 September in the Galerie de Buci 73 rue de Seine

News Weather Info

I created a new site about the news weather info . At this moment you can read and see images and videos about the weather related to e.g. Taiwan Typhoon, Hurricane Dean that is category 4 but can get stronger, the IBM weather computer, and Sunny, warm African weather ahead .

South Africans can look forward to sunny and warm weather this weekend, the South African Weather Service

Finding a Shop in Paris

It is not easy to find a Shop for during the events in Paris, that was why I searched for it a long time in advance.

I was lucky to find it in the rue Visconti, and told people so in June, but was unlucky when I received a phone call to tell me the Shop "pas-de-porte" was sold to a Parisian dealer.

But now I am happy to have found another available Shop to meet you in September at 73 rue de Seine near de rue de Buci.

I will be very glad to meet you between 11 and 16 september, and will show you some fine pieces coming from known collections.

Come see my African Art exhibitions, and also don't miss the Parcours des Mondes show and other events in Paris at the same moment (like the "Salon des collectionneur") in the same period. I am not a member of this organisation, but handle the same selection standard in the selection of the pieces on Show, just compare by yourself.

immo Bazel

SOLD

A nice 106 m2 appartement in Bazel Belgium for sale, previously it was a photo studio, but now it is for sale as an appartement or as a commercial place, or office space. Located on the main road between Antwerpen and Temse

this is why im hot

This is why im hot is a hip-hop song by MIMS telling the African to be more confident in themselves.
MIMS, who released his debut album, Music Is My Savior, earlier this month, has gotten some extra attention lately because of New York Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez.
So visit the link and see the video if you need some pep talk.
Or visit the hot zone if you prefer to know about Kevin''s "World in Conflict"

Art Advisors

You can't collect AfricanArt without knowledge and years of experience, that is why I recommand to get advise before buying with african art art advisors before doing serious buyings.

When prices are low and you like the pieces, you don't care so much. But today the African Art prices are getting higher and higher, and you have much to lose in the game. So be smart, and check out the reputation from your art sellers and get if possible a econd opinion before doing an expensive acquisition.

David Norden, www.buyafricanantiques.com

Bassalampasu mask

Among the African Masks the Bassalampasu masks are quite frightening. Also people from this tribe have the reputation to be quite agressive. They cut the teath to make them even more impressive.

This wooden mask is covered with cupper, and the hairdress is in raffia.

The Salampasu are coming from Southern Congo (Kinshasa), this type of mask is called Kasangu.

Follow the title link to see more african masks, or to read more about the Salampasu.

This mask was collected before 1952, and is to be dated from the 40's. It is yours for 1,500 euros, just send me an email for availability.

simpleology

Do you know who inspired me and ave me the fundaments of my online business? Mark Joyner.

And now you can get a free course from him, just give him your email and you will get simpleolology 101 , let him explain to you what is a simple Brain Hack, and you'll discover the same thing as I did, the mysterious power of ....

http://marketing.simpleology.com/

or if you want to discover some secret details about the marketing simpleology before visiting the official site

Business Foreclosure

business foreclosure is a website related on every business news related to the increasing amount of foreclosures in the US, and on business credit cards issues. I hope readers on african Art living in the US will enjoy it.

new items for sale

A nice Lwalwa mask I just got from a french collector. Send me an email if you want to know the price, because you like it really much, or if you need more images to take the decision to buy it.

November Art for sale

Please have a look at some of our fine genuine African Art items for
sale this month.

David Norden

http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/dan_mask_duperrier.htm A fine Dan mask

http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/images/Pende_Sickness_mask.jpg A Pende sickness mask with a double face.

http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/makonde.htm A Makonde Lipiko mask

http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/african-statues.htm Some of our african statues

http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/thai_stone.htm A XIIth century Thai stone buste



P.S.: You can see more in the main sections :

http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/african-masks.htm Masks
http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/african-statues.htm Statues
http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/african_products.htm African objects
http://www.buyafricanantiques.com/outside_africa.htm Outside African Art

something corporate down

something corporate down is a page dedicate to the down song of Something corporate, with the down lyrics a Konstantine live video and a discussion of the North album with some samples from each song. Enjoy

appartement zee te koop

appartement zee :
Ground Floor appartment on the beach front opposite of the pier in Blankenberge

Requested price173.000 €
1 bedroom
60 m² net floor area+20 m² terras+20 m² entrance, lift.
Available as of : Immediately
zeedijk 213 8370 - Blankenberge
Ask more info

Malawi - african masks

Google Alert for: african masks

Preserving culture in wood carvings
Malawi's Daily Times - Malawi

Preserving culture in wood carvingsBY DEBORAH NYANGULU02:18:29 - 25 August 2006Many people in the country have argued that our culture has taken a defective position – a position where culture is turning to ‘alien’ cultures and importing cultural elements from them.Every time one hears elders bemoaning Malawi’s lost culture. They recall the good old days when Malawi had what it could proudly call her own cultural identity.But despite all sorts of cultural imports taking place in the country, there still remain strong elements of what can be described as truly Malawian.One such element that has attempted to preserve the country’s culture is wood carving.Wood carvings are found almost everywhere in the country. They are sold along the roads in the country and many other places in the cities and towns.
... We thus make masks of gule wamkulu, figures of chiefs and animals, chairs, zipande, traditional bowls and models of African huts,” Baundi says. ...

visit Buy African antiques

genuine African Art available !

African masks -- and more

African masks -- and more

03/29/07By TAYA FLORES found at Capital News Service

BALTIMORE -- African art goes beyond the traditional mask. At least that's what a new exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art is intended to show.
While the connection between an Egyptian alabaster vase and the stunning kaleidoscope of video images by Ethiopian artist Theo Eshetu may not be obvious, one thing is certain -- African art is changing.
"Americans are new to learning about the diversity of the African continent because we haven't learned it," said the exhibit's curator, Karen Milbourne. "What is represented in media is this generic African culture of people living in tribes. Those nuances of who the individual is get lost in these stereotyped styles."
The pieces come from different countries, have different purposes and are loosely wound around the current exhibition's theme, Light. It is the first of a three part series of exhibitions called Meditations on African Art, which explores the use of light, color and pattern in African art. Light opened in December and ends April 1.
The second exhibition, Color, features African art that may be more familiar to Americans. It has some 30 masks and focuses on the symbolism of the colors red, black and white used within the masks. This exhibition opens April 18 and ends Aug. 19.
The last exhibition, Pattern which opens Aug. 29 and ends Jan. 13, 2008, explores the use of dynamic pattern within African art.
Light show
Light showcases a diverse mix of African art ranging from a pair of 19th to 20th-century brass ankle bracelets worn by a high-ranking Nigerian woman to a Yoruba bead painting from Nigerian artist Jimoh Buraimoh.
Traditional African art is functional and connected with religious ceremony or rituals. Africans do not create art for art's sake as in Western cultures, said Gabriel Tenabe, director of museums at Morgan State University.
Although most of the pieces in the exhibit are traditional masks and statues, some, such as those by the Ethiopian, Theo Eshetu, and by Buraimoh, depart from the traditional style and create artwork that is conceptual.
Eshetu's video installation uses images, television and mirrors to create a video montage, in which viewers stand in front of a frame and stick their head in to see a globe of images from America, Africa and Bali, emerging, moving and melding together.
Buraimoh's piece from 1991, Three Wise Men, shows three figures "painted" with beads. The figures allude to the three wise men of the bible and the three men who negotiated with the English for Nigeria's independence in 1960.
Religion's influence
The Morgan State museum director, Tenabe, said traditional art is dying out and giving way to new art forms for many reasons.
For one thing, younger generations have moved away from traditional religions, Tenabe said.
"Everything traditional is connected to religion," he said. "But Islam prohibits images and Christian missionaries took art works out of the continent. As a result a lot of young people moved away from it."
He said that authentic African art became popular among Europeans and Americans around the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The masks, sculpture and wood carvings were used for religious rituals, ceremonies and to adorn shrines. He said the art was never meant to be sold, but some people would steal it from the shrines and sell it or foreign missionaries would bring it to Europe or the United States.
Tenabe said another reason the art is changing is that younger people are also moving to cities were the traditional artwork is not practiced. Still, Tenabe said, traditional art will not disappear overnight.
"There are still pockets of Africans that create their own works because they follow their own religion and even up to now people still use masks in Nigeria," he said.
Selling to consumers
But some artists are moving away from the traditional style and moving not only to conceptual styles, but consumer styles of art as well.
"The new people make it to make a living, but not for religion," he said. "They are moving away from traditional style because a lot of work goes into it and they are making it for consumers. The quality is not there because people are no longer doing it for religion, but for tourism."
He said an authentic African mask would normally take a year to make, and sell for $2,000, but now the same artist makes four or five masks in six months and sells the new masks for $50 each.
At 58, Erness Abron Hill, a lecturer at Morgan State, said she has seen the prices of authentic African art soar during the 30 years she's been collecting.
A mask she paid $35 for in 1980 would be $350 now.
AIDS epidemic
She suggested there is a simpler but more tragic reason traditional art is dying out: The African AIDS epidemic is killing the artists.
"As the disease spreads it's going to phase out the old tradition," she said. "When Africa stabilizes, the culture will be different."
Even within traditional art forms such as masks, the imprint of AIDS is apparent. Milbourne said that there are masks that have the AIDS ribbon built into them.
She also said that Africans are using the arts to educate the youth about AIDS and people infected with the disease are using artworks to raise money for their care, such as women in South Africa making and selling baskets made out of telephone wire.
Although traditional African art is changing, it's not a negative thing, Hill said.
"This will change the way people view African art for the good," she said. "It will help people have a better view of Africans, besides the traditional."

Buy African Masks

From old collections, genuine old masks for sale