Collections

COLLECTIONS

African Masks and Objects of Ritual

About my African Collection:

I am looking forward to finding a home for my African art collection. These African masks, carved totemic figures and textiles are a part of my extensive collection of folk art, acquired over a life time of art practice. I had made many drawing studies of African Art at the Royal Ontario Museum as an art student because of their sculptural presence. My first acquisition was a carving of a Bambara Gazelle purchased at “Lippel Gallery of Primitive Art” in Montreal in 1962 on graduation from art school. Since then I have collected many Kuba textiles which have the beautiful graphic designs which once inspired the artists Matisse and Paul Klee in their collage paintings. Over the last twenty five years I have collected many great pieces of African art which includes masks, statues.textiles and drums.

Thirty Kuba fabrics were Exhibited at the Mirvish book store with some of the large polychrome Kuba masks .
This African art collection is not for sale at this time, but I would like to share the images that inspired me as an artist. I believe the collection has great educational value. It is an aid to understanding masking games, Halloween, traditional Greek theatre, dance musical events and appreciation of Mardi Gras. For me these carvings are adventures in the imagination that mark the great mysteries of ,the seasons, family life, birth, death, the great life-force-spirit and the power given to drumming, dance and story telling.

Many of the fabrics,sculpture and masks were bought from the “African Drums & Art” in Toronto which is a living art museum. It’s owner SAIKOU, frequently returns to Africa to buy drums and some of the best art still available . Currently, my interest in African art has led me to the work of master African drummers and teachers Njacko Backo and Waleed Abdulhamid who have taught me to love the music, dance, songs, experienced at the African music festivals. I have illustrated a children™s book with performer and storyteller Njacko Backo called œBacki and the Magic Egg about a boy’s story of discovery . Sales of the book go to support a children’s school in Bazou, Cameroon, Njacko™s home village www.bazouschool.blogspot.com. Our second book, “The Lion Who Wanted To Become a Vegetarian”, which will released later this year.