Conclusion
For much of the past century Central Africa’s artistic legacy was ‘forgotten’ under colonial regimes, and consigned to the demeaning category of ‘tribal art’ in Western-dominated art discourses. In recent decades, its artworks have, fortunately, begun to be rediscovered and its artistic contributions to the world recognized—such as its undeniable influence on modern and contemporary masters such as Matisse, Picasso, Brancusi and Basquiat, who drew from the creative fount of African art in developing fauvism, cubism and abstract art.
However, Central Africa’s contribution to global arts and culture goes much further. The tragic story of the Atlantic slave trade, from the 15th and 16th centuries onwards, was an inseparable part of the making of the global order, in which diverse Central African states, kingdoms, and groups took an active role––at times colluding, cooperating, and profiteering from such activities, and at others resisting and defending the integrity, independence, and liberty of themselves and fellow Africans against colonial aggressors. Through these forced, and later voluntary, migrations, the cultural and aesthetic sensibilities as well as artistic traditions and endeavours followed these peoples to distant shores, where the artistic legacies of Central Africa continue to live and to resonate.
The ritual sculptures, masks, and prestige weapons presented here at once invoke memories of the past, and invite living and future generations to once again reconnect with their ancestors and cultural legacies.
However, Central Africa’s contribution to global arts and culture goes much further. The tragic story of the Atlantic slave trade, from the 15th and 16th centuries onwards, was an inseparable part of the making of the global order, in which diverse Central African states, kingdoms, and groups took an active role––at times colluding, cooperating, and profiteering from such activities, and at others resisting and defending the integrity, independence, and liberty of themselves and fellow Africans against colonial aggressors. Through these forced, and later voluntary, migrations, the cultural and aesthetic sensibilities as well as artistic traditions and endeavours followed these peoples to distant shores, where the artistic legacies of Central Africa continue to live and to resonate.
The ritual sculptures, masks, and prestige weapons presented here at once invoke memories of the past, and invite living and future generations to once again reconnect with their ancestors and cultural legacies.