Introduction to the exhibition "Art in Cameroon: Sculptural Dialogues" on view at the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, SUNY, April 23-August 14, 2011. More info at neuberger.org

1. Art in Cameroon: Sculptural Dialogues
April 23–August 14, 2011
Neuberger Museum of Art
neuberger.org | 914-251-6100

2. 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.

3. Carved Tusk Collection Neuberger Museum of Art
Babanki-Tungo Kedjom-Kitungu Kingdom Purchase College, State University of New York
Mid-20th century, ivory Gift of Lawrence Gussman in memory of Dr. Albert
35 1/8 x 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches Schweitzer (Next page: detail)

5. Commemorative Figure (anyi or ngwindem)
Unidentified Bangwa Kingdom
Early 20th century
Attributed to a master carver,
Ateu Atsa or Efuetlacha, or his workshop
Wood, 34 1/2 x 8 x 7 1/2 inches
Collection Neuberger Museum of Art
Purchase College, State University of New York
Gift of Eliot P. Hirshberg from the Aimee W. Hirshberg
Collection of African Art

6. In the Cameroon Grassfields,
commemorative figures represent
kings, chiefs, nobles, princesses, and
noble royal wives.
Commemorative Figure (lefem)
Unidentified Bangwa Kingdom
Early 20th century
Attributed to a master carver,
Ateu Atsa or Efuetlacha, or his workshop
Wood, 30 x 8 x 8 inches
Collection Guy Laliberté, Cirque du Soleil, Montréal, Canada
(Next page: details)

8. Commemorative Figure (lefem)
Unidentified Bangwa Kingdom
Early 20th century
Wood
34 x 9 x 7 ½ inches
Private Collection

9. 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.
Mask (akam)
Unidentified Kingdom, Aghem/Fungom region
20th century
Wood, fiber, human hair
21 x 11 x 15 inches
Private Collection

10. 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.
Seated Figure Holding a Bowl
Baham Kingdom
19th century
Wood and beads
24 ½ x 14 ¼ x 12 inches
Collection Laura and James J. Ross
(Next page: detail)

12. 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.
Throne Stool Ethnologisches Museum,
Kuk Kingdom Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
19th century (inv.no. C 23835)
Wood, tin, foil

13. Art in Cameroon: Sculptural Dialogues
April 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 ArtsWestchester
with 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.