Containing Culture: West African Pottery and Tradition

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Igbo (Nigeria), Vessel, n.d., ceramic, 12 3/8 x 9 x 9 inches, collection of the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, gift of Mr. & Mrs. William Simmons

Containing Culture: West African Pottery and Tradition features a range of ceramic traditions from West Africa. The exhibition explores the cultural significance of pottery's production and use in the Nupe, Lobi, Yoruba, and Igbo societies. Some of these vessels were used for cooking, brewing beer, or storing water, while others performed sacred functions. The steps of the production process were as significant as the finished objects: gathering the clay, hand-building the vessels, and firing all offer an insight into each culture and community.

Curated by Kristen Carbone ’03, Containing Culture features work recently donated to the Tang Collection by William and Gail Simmons. Support for this project is provided by the Department of Art and Art History and the Harry F. Gaugh Travel Fund.