Shetani. African wooden sculptures by 6 Makonde artists

27 Mar - 16 May 1999

An unique collection privately owned by Danes contains works by 6 named artists from the Makonde people. The sculptures are obtained in Tanzenia in connection with work in developing countries at the end of the 1960ies in close contact with the artists. The greatest part of the collection is made up of Shetani, which in Swahili means "spirit". In Shetani the artists have worked creatively with myths of the people.

Humour and eroticism are central elements. Wooden sculptures are made from mpingo - ivory - using simple tools. At the Art Centre the exhibition emphasizes the esthetical and artistic dimensions of the collection. The six Makonde artists had the opportunity of concentrating on their work for a period of time resulting in this group of very fine sculptures; it's therefore not a question of anonymous African art or ethnography.

The publishing house Rhodos has simultaneously adapted a book about the anthroplogist and photographer Jesper Kirknæs and is published in Danish as well as in English.