African Art and Irish Art in Washington, DC Museums

I'm catching up on must see exhibits which will slip thru my fingers if I don't get "out there."
Today, Steve and I and went to the National Museum of African Art to see "African Art Now: Masterpieces from the Jean Pigozzi Collection." It was an artist inspiration day and the exhibit was fabulous with surprising new color combinations and imaginative themes. It is interesting to note that of the twenty eight artists represented, two are women artists. You can see a few pieces at the website and even listen to "Radio Africa" on your computer! "African Art Now: Masterpieces from the Jean Pigozzi Collection."
November 16, 2005--February 26, 2006

The collection of Swiss entrepreneur and photographer Jean Pigozzi, now known as the Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC), offers a sweeping survey of the brilliant invention of artists throughout the great expanse of sub-Saharan Africa.
African Art Now: Masterpieces from the Jean Pigozzi Collection profiles 28 artists from 15 African countries, all of whom came of age in Africa and maintain close ties to their native countries. No single tradition or method unites these artists. Rather, they reflect the complex heritage of Africa today and respond to both the historic traditions of their local cultures and the new era of international globalism.

National Museum of African Art Smithsonian Institution
950 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20560
202.633.4600
202.357.4879 (fax)

After that gem of an exhibit, I visited the Irish-born American Abstract Painter, Sean Scully's "Wall of Light" painting exhibition on closing day at the Phillips Collection. It was interesting to see a large collection of work based on a consistent theme throughout an artist's career. I wasn't disappointed at Scully's color, brushwork and experiments with surface which were subtle yet visually rewarding. I feel like I ate a fabulous dessert.

www.annemarchand.com