Anderson Gallery
907 1/2 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23284-2514
Winter 2009 Exhibition
January 16, 2009 - March, 2009
Embodying the Sacred in Yoruba Art: Featuring the Bernard and Patricia Wagner Collection
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Orilade'
The Head is a Crown
"In Yoruba culture, a person's head is celebrated as a seat of intelligence and the site of perception. Emphasis on the head in Yoruba art has both theological and political importance. The Yoruba word orflade' (the head is a crown) is a metaphor for this relationship. The head is, to an individual, what Olo'du'mare' (the supreme being) is to the cosmos-a crown and a source of power. "
If one looked at these beautifully beaded head dresses with out knowing their importance to the Yoruba culture they would still understand their magnitude by the sheer intricacy, and care taken in the bead work, these pieces are truly stunning.
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Egu'ngu'n Masquerade costume, 20th century
O'yo'/Ogbomoso Region, Nigeria
Cloth, metal, and wood
The Newark Museum
Purchase 1991 Sophronia Anderson Bequest Fund 91.35
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The Beaded Prayers Project
"The Beaded Prayers Project was launched in 1999 as a community-centered collaboration. Since then, over 5000 people--ages 6 to 90, from 35 countries--have participated by creating and contributing the beaded packets exhibited here. This is the project's final presentation, concluding a tour that has taken it to over 25 venues. "
When you walk in the back room at the Anderson Gallery the enormous size of the many blocks displaying each packet engulfs the viewer, but does not hold the viewer back from enjoying the packets close up.
907 1/2 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23284-2514
Winter 2009 Exhibition
January 16, 2009 - March, 2009
Embodying the Sacred in Yoruba Art: Featuring the Bernard and Patricia Wagner Collection
____________________________________________________
Orilade'
The Head is a Crown
"In Yoruba culture, a person's head is celebrated as a seat of intelligence and the site of perception. Emphasis on the head in Yoruba art has both theological and political importance. The Yoruba word orflade' (the head is a crown) is a metaphor for this relationship. The head is, to an individual, what Olo'du'mare' (the supreme being) is to the cosmos-a crown and a source of power. "
If one looked at these beautifully beaded head dresses with out knowing their importance to the Yoruba culture they would still understand their magnitude by the sheer intricacy, and care taken in the bead work, these pieces are truly stunning.
____________________________________________________
Egu'ngu'n Masquerade costume, 20th century
O'yo'/Ogbomoso Region, Nigeria
Cloth, metal, and wood
The Newark Museum
Purchase 1991 Sophronia Anderson Bequest Fund 91.35
_______________________________________________
The Beaded Prayers Project
"The Beaded Prayers Project was launched in 1999 as a community-centered collaboration. Since then, over 5000 people--ages 6 to 90, from 35 countries--have participated by creating and contributing the beaded packets exhibited here. This is the project's final presentation, concluding a tour that has taken it to over 25 venues. "
When you walk in the back room at the Anderson Gallery the enormous size of the many blocks displaying each packet engulfs the viewer, but does not hold the viewer back from enjoying the packets close up.
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