British Museum – Kingdom of Ife - Sculptures From West Africa

March 4 – June 6 2010

Rating: 5 out of 5

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/all_current_exhibitions/kingdom_of_ife.aspx

Continuing the British Museum’s series of ancient kingdoms, this time it’s Africa’s turn to shine, and shine it does. The showcase is graceful sculptures by the people of the Ife – an ancient city-state in modern day Nigeria. The fascinating works of art use a variety of materials – copper, brass, terracotta and stone. The skill of the artisans is clear with unbelievable detail and wonderful lifelike precision. But it’s something else about these works that draws the viewer in. As anthropologist William Bascom rightly said, “the appeal of their beauty is immediate and universal.”

Of the various pieces on show, it is the regal grace and serene beauty of the metal heads that are most striking. It’s easy to see how such work inspired many of the great European artists, when they looked further for inspiration. The likes of Modigliani, Picasso and Matisse were only a few of the artists that were inspired by the stylized human figure found in African art.

The most frustrating thing about the exhibition is the relatively few works actually on display. Confusingly, the exhibition makes no mention of the related and arguably more impressive metal works in the African gallery of the Museum’s permanent collection. Part of this exhibition should also be the work, particularly the spectacular Benin plaques, in room 25 of the museum. While the focus of the temporary exhibition is the people of Ife and the Benin plaques were done by the Yoruba people, both tribes are from a similar area of present day Nigeria seems. Once you are charmed by the unique beauty and grace of the ancient artisans of this part of the world, you will be drawn to seek out more.

In combination with the museum’s permanent African gallery, this is an overall excellent show that explores the fantastically skilled creativity of a region that deserves more attention.