Inspiration

One of my favorite places in this world is the The National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC.  If you haven’t experienced this museum, you must go.

Out of all of the museums I have been to, it is here where I am most inspired.  I will just sit on those wonderful benches and take in all that is around me.  I sketch, take photos (when I can), and just take in the history.  Think about the people who used these artifacts, how they were used, when they were used...  There is something special and magical about this place.

Here are a few shots of what inspired me this trip.  If you click on the images, it will take you to the corresponding page on the National Museum of African Art.

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Face mask
Igbo peoples, Nigeria
Early to mid-20th century
Wood, cloth, glass beads, metal, buttons, kaolin
Gift of Geraldine Dimondstein and museum purchase, 2004-11-2

Masquerade costume Date: Mid-20th century
Maker: Yoruba peoples
Medium: Cloth, plastic, wood
Subjects: Ancestral
Dimensions: Flat: 175.3 x 121.9 x 10.2 cm (69 x 48 x 4 in.)
Geography: Nigeria

Koranic writing board Date: Mid-to late 20th century
Maker: Hausa peoples
Medium: Wood, ink, hide
Subjects: WritingDimensions: H x W x D: 48.4 x 19.3 x 1.9 cm (19 1/16 x 7 5/8 x 3/4 in.)
Geography: Nigeria

There was an exceptional exhibit of Lalla Essaydis' work.  After I came home I did a google search and was rewarded with such beautiful images of her work and information on her art.