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Standing Male Figure

Fipa

Artwork Details

Standing Male Figure
late-20th century
Fipa
carved wood with glass beads
16 in x 4 ¾ in x 4 in (40.64 cm x 12.07 cm x 10.16 cm)
Gift of Mary Paul and Bruce Stubbs in honor of Evan Maurer
2016/1.207

Description

Subject Matter:

The figures in this case were all made, owned, and  cared for by citizens of nations affected by a U.S. ban  on travelers from countries in the Middle East and  Northern Africa enacted in 2017. Nigeria, Eritrea,  Tanzania, and Sudan were added to the list in 2020,  making it nearly impossible for citizens from these  nations to come to the United States.  

While the travel ban was revoked in 2021, the fact  remains that it is often easier for objects to travel than  it is for the artists who made them, or the communities  

who use them, to cross those same borders. We present  this display case to remind our visitors of these  discrepancies in mobility, and how such restrictions  limit who can enjoy, and who can interpret, works of  African art in museums in the Global North.

Physical Description:

Standing figure with one hand at its hip and the other at its chest. The facial features include an angular nose, slit mouth, and eyes made of glass beads. 

Usage Rights:

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