I’ve recently had the chance to visit the National Museum of Art. The National Museum of African Art, was an indescribable experience. I hope this report does it some justice. There were various paintings and objects showcased. They were showcased to bring to the public’s attention the works of talented artists, whose artwork have been omitted from the study of American art history. The Madonna and Child painting, by the artist Godfried Donkor depicts the collisions of cultures by displaying an African woman embellished with beads and jewelry while carrying a baby. This painting stood out because it reminded me of how beads and beaded necklaces are worn throughout many cultures. It’s commonly used for fashion and signifies different …show more content…
For example, the Staff artwork, showed three various staffs having unique features that distinguished them from one another. Staffs were commonly traded amongst neighboring populations. I found it interesting that a staff could give a person so much power and authority. Moreover, the Anklet, object by the Ekonda Peoples was worn by certain people as an indicator of status and wealth. If you owned a pair, you were seen as powerful. Likewise, the Anklets by an Igbo artist expressed the importance of wearing the anklet during initiations and ceremonies. Due to the weight, shape, material, and size, the anklets indicated that the individual had the means to avoid physical labor and possessed great wealth. The anklet made it incapable for them to work and they were wealthy enough not to work. The Epa Helmet Mask, is a mask used to honor ancestors. The mask depicts life and fertility. Many people wore it based on position. You could distinguish one person from one another, you were also able to tell their status when they wore the mask. All of this goes to show that Africans possess power and authority. People had the ability to move up the class system based on what they owned or if they were heirs to kings or