To see a glimpse of the Africa exhibition, click here. 

Drawn primarily from the Seattle Museum of Art’s remarkable African collections, this exhibition, whose title originates in an African parable, highlights the artistic heritage of a number of sub-Saharan cultures. Both traditional and contemporary works will be on view, illustrating both the worlds modern Africans inhabit.

To deepen the visitor’s experience of the traditional objects, advisors from the represented cultures bring the works on display to life on the audiotour, revealing the meanings, stories and ideas associated with them. Video projections demonstrate how the objects are put to use in the rites, ceremonies, or even day-to-day lives, of the African communities for whom they were created.

An Acoustiguide Audio Tour is provided as part of admission to this exhibition.

This exhibition was organized by the Seattle Art Museum with generous funding provided by Washington Mutual.

For programs related to this exhibition, visit the calendar section of our website.

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Image:  Asante, Ghana, Lion Stool, after 1957; Wood and paint, 16 9/16 x 20 13/16 x 11 7/8 in.; Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, Gift of Katherine White and the Boeing Company, 81.17.545; Photo by Paul Macapia