The New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations exhibition, set to open on April 4, 2025, at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), offers an insightful exploration of contemporary West African masquerade traditions.
Running through August 10, 2025, this exhibition presents the work of four distinguished West African artists: Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa, Sheku “Goldenfinger” Fofanah, David Sanou, and Hervé Youmbi.
The exhibition features 13 full-body masquerade ensembles, each crafted from an array of materials including wood, fabric, sequins, feathers, raffia, and cowry shells. These works not only highlight the innovative practices of the artists but also pay homage to the deep cultural, spiritual, and social traditions from which they draw inspiration. The showcased pieces demonstrate the artists’ ability to reinterpret and adapt long-standing masquerade traditions for contemporary contexts, whether for social, spiritual, or entertainment purposes.
Organized in collaboration with the Musée des Civilisations Noires (MCN) in Dakar, Senegal, the exhibition marks a significant milestone in cross-continental art exchanges. For the first time, a major exhibition will present in parallel across North America and Africa.
This dual presentation seeks to bridge cultural and artistic dialogues between the two continents, offering audiences in both regions a rare opportunity to engage with the transformative power of masquerades.
In addition to the artistic focus, the exhibition examines the broader networks of viewership and exchange that shape the artists’ works. It contextualizes their creations within the social, economic, and religious landscapes of contemporary West Africa, reflecting how these masquerades function as both cultural artifacts and dynamic artistic statements.
The National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts support New African Masquerades. As this exhibition travels across two continents, it will surely offer a fresh perspective on the evolution of West African masquerades and their continued relevance in the global art scene.
