Collections

Songye people, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Female Figure (Nkisi)

African Art

The arts of the African continent combine beauty of form with rich cultural significance that can be appreciated by visitors of all ages. These brilliantly created objects express fundamental cultural beliefs and provide powerful statements about the artists and societies who create them. The UIMA holds one of the country's finest and most well-respected collections of African art, which is supplemented in the gallery by vivid textual and video displays. The African collection presents a well-rounded view of the artistic diversity found throughout the continent. In addition to world-renowned pieces from cultures in West and Central Africa, visitors will find works from all regions of the African continent in a wide range of media including figural sculpture, textiles, masks, ceramics, beadwork and metalwork.

A selection of works from the UIMA's African Art collection is now on view at the UIMA@IMU, located in the Iowa Memorial Union's third-floor Richey Ballroom, and at the Levitt Center for University Advancement.

For more information about African Art including video and photos, visit UI Professor Christopher Roy's website.