African Art
To reflect the continent’s deep, rich history while foregrounding recent innovations, the High’s African art collection includes a diversity of art forms from ancient through contemporary times. To represent the depth and breadth of the African diaspora, the High continues to strengthen its holdings of works by artists of African ancestry, including African American artists, to highlight cultural bonds throughout the Black Atlantic world and beyond.
The heart and soul of the High Museum of Art’s African art collection consists of extraordinary examples of masks and figurative sculptures, enriched by exceptionally fine textiles, beadwork, metalwork, and ceramics. Antiquities include an animated terracotta sculpture of a female torso wrapped in snakes (ca. 1200–1500). From the region of ancient Djenne, one of Africa’s oldest cities, this work represents Sogolon, mother of Sundiata, founder of the Mali Empire. Along with this work, a Qu’ran (ca. 1600) from Timbuktu, Djenne’s sister city, highlights art of the Mali Empire, one of the largest and most important kingdoms the world has ever known.
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Art of Burkina Faso,

Art of Burkina Faso
Art of Ancient Africa,

Art of Ancient Africa
Art of Central Africa,

Art of Central Africa
Celebrating Women,

Celebrating Women
Contemporary Art,

Contemporary Art
Decorative Arts,

Decorative Arts
Educating and Healing,

Educating and Healing
Honoring Ancestors,

Honoring Ancestors
Masquerade, Music, and Performance,

Masquerade, Music, and Performance
Paired Figures,

Paired Figures
Acclaimed Artists,

Acclaimed Artists
Yoruba Art,
