Masks and Deities: The Aesthetic Forms of African Faith

【Exhibition Title】

Masks and Deities: The Aesthetic Forms of African Faith

【Venue】

Makonde Museum of Art

【Dates】

July 19, 2025 – October 19, 2025

【Hours】

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM)

【Closed】

Tuesdays (except open on September 23, Tue) and September 24 (Wed)

【Admission】

Adults: ¥1,000

High School Students: ¥800

Elementary & Junior High Students: ¥600

*Includes access to the permanent exhibition.

【Overview】

The African continent is home to diverse cultures, each rooted in spiritual traditions that have given rise to distinctive masks and statues of deities. This exhibition explores the fusion of African faith and beauty, showcasing masks and sacred figures and revealing their profound significance.

African masks are not mere ornaments; they play an essential role in rituals and ceremonies as mediums connecting with gods and ancestral spirits. Often modeled after spirits or animals, masks were believed to embody their powers when worn, serving as vessels for people’s prayers and aspirations.

Statues of deities, on the other hand, depict gods and ancestors and have long been revered as objects of worship. Finely carved and imbued with a commanding presence, these figures inspired awe and offered spiritual support. Some were even regarded as “fetishes,” objects believed to hold potent mystical powers.

Created through Africa’s diverse beliefs and unique imagination, these masks and statues are not only ritual objects but also works of art, celebrated for their pursuit of aesthetic form.

By uncovering the meanings and stories behind the masks and statues used by various African peoples, visitors are invited to experience the depth of Africa’s spiritual world and the artistic beauty it has produced.