exhibition

Presenting Sponsor:

us bank

The stunning masks and vibrant music of the Congo

MIM’s exhibition, Congo Masks and Music: Masterpieces from Central Africa, offers a glimpse into the dramatic and lively masquerade traditions of Central Africa with an exclusive collection of more than 150 stunning and rare masks, instruments, and costumes from the late 1800s to early 1900s.

  • November 8, 2019–September 12, 2021

Exclusively at MIM

Curated by Manuel Jordán, MIM’s deputy director and chief curator, and Marc Felix, MIM board member and international expert on African art, Congo Masks and Music explores the connections between masks and musical instruments while reflecting the diverse settings of masquerades. Masquerades take place for a variety of reasons—to educate, entertain, demonstrate power, and connect humans with the spirit world.

congo masks

In partnership with

africa museum

Featured Pieces

Go Behind the Masks

Go Behind the Masks

Masks represent powerful supernatural beings that come to life in human, animal, or hybridized form. Through music and dance, masks dramatize and articulate different peoples’ worldviews, histories, religious beliefs, and morals. Constructed out of materials including wood, feathers, beads, fiber, and metal, the intricate masks showcase remarkable artistry and craftsmanship representative of dozens of Congolese cultural groups.

Go Behind the Masks

Go Behind the Masks

Masks represent powerful supernatural beings that come to life in human, animal, or hybridized form. Through music and dance, masks dramatize and articulate different peoples’ worldviews, histories, religious beliefs, and morals. Constructed out of materials including wood, feathers, beads, fiber, and metal, the intricate masks showcase remarkable artistry and craftsmanship representative of dozens of Congolese cultural groups.

Go Behind the Masks

Go Behind the Masks

Masks represent powerful supernatural beings that come to life in human, animal, or hybridized form. Through music and dance, masks dramatize and articulate different peoples’ worldviews, histories, religious beliefs, and morals. Constructed out of materials including wood, feathers, beads, fiber, and metal, the intricate masks showcase remarkable artistry and craftsmanship representative of dozens of Congolese cultural groups.

Go Behind the Masks

Go Behind the Masks

Masks represent powerful supernatural beings that come to life in human, animal, or hybridized form. Through music and dance, masks dramatize and articulate different peoples’ worldviews, histories, religious beliefs, and morals. Constructed out of materials including wood, feathers, beads, fiber, and metal, the intricate masks showcase remarkable artistry and craftsmanship representative of dozens of Congolese cultural groups.

A catalog for the exhibition is available for purchase at the Museum Store or online at theMIMstore.org.

Buy Catalog

Thank you to our generous donors

Presenting sponsor U.S. Bank
usbank

U.S. Bank

Sponsored By

The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation

The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation
Supported by

Lorraine L. Calbow, Christine Lindley, Katherine & Randy Schneewind, Carolyn & John Friedman, Jan & David Wood, Angelo & Micheline Addona, Babette & Richard Burns, Mary Ann & John Mangels, Ann Phillips, Hao and Michelle Wang Foundation, Jeffrey Heimer & Linda Brock, and Paula & Arlie Sherman

Support MIM’s Exhibitions

Video Spotlight: Bwoom Mask

Curated by Manuel Jordán, MIM’s deputy director and chief curator, and Marc Felix, MIM board member and international expert on African art, Congo Masks and Music explores the connections between masks and musical instruments while reflecting the diverse settings of masquerades. Masquerades take place for a variety of reasons—to educate, entertain, demonstrate power, and connect humans with the spirit world.

congo masks and music