Surfaces: Color, Substances, and Ritual Applications on African Sculpture (African Expressive Cultures) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0253352517 ISBN 13: 9780253352514

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2009

Synopsis

Every piece of African woodcarving has an embellished surface, whether it is dyed, pigmented, refurbished, or encrusted with sacrificial matter. Surfaces is the first book to present a detailed study of what happens to African wood sculpture from its creation to its ritual use and "retirement." The six essays by distinguished African art historians investigate cultural practices associated with surface decoration, the practitioners responsible for the applications, and the reasons for the use of specific materials. Luxurious color and black-and-white photographs embellish the text and illustrate the power and potency of African sculpture. A comprehensive listing of colorings and raw materials is also included. For students, museum professionals, and collectors, this book will become an important reference which inspires new appreciations of African art and artistry.

About this title

About the Author

Leonard Kahan is a certified appraiser of African art and curator for the permanent collection of African art at Queensborough College, CUNY.

Donna Page specializes in restoring African wood sculpture. She has curated the exhibition Surfaces at the Museum of the SMA Fathers in Tenafly, New Jersey.

Pascal James Imperato is Distinguished Service Professor at SUNY Downstate., Vol. 43, no. 3, 2010

Edition details

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0253352517
• ISBN 13: 9780253352514
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 536
• Editor: Kahan Leonard, Page Donna, Imperato Pascal James