Spirits Embodied: Art of the Congo

History

As the pace of change in African societies has quickened over the past hundred years, interest in traditional African art as a means of understanding these cultures has increased. The historic ties between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo make the art from this part of the world of special interest to American audiences. Spirits Embodied is the companion volume to a landmark exhibit that opened in the fall of 1999 at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. A beautifully produced and extensively illustrated volume, Spirits Embodied offers a nuanced look at Congolese art produced from 1800 to 1940. Each section of the catalog examines the art of one ethnic group and offers context for understanding the objects both as part of a rich history and as a legacy of a constantly changing culture. Detailed essays outline the beliefs, traditions, and artistic methods of each of the thirteen peoples represented, including the Kongo, Yaka, Bembe, and Pende. In-depth descriptions include explanations not only of the methods and materials used, but also of the cultural and religious significance of each piece. This book offers a rare opportunity to understand the ways in which the arts express the social, religious, and philosophical bases of traditional Congolese societies as well as how European and American societies have influenced, appreciated, and learned from those arts.