The Kruk gallery is hosting an amazing exhibit of African art, thanks to the generosity of Emile Mathis, a University of Wisconsin – Superior alumnus.  The sculptures date from the 19th century through the mid-20th century. Included are memorial figures of ancestors and relatives, and sculptures created to protect the remains of the ancestors. Also in the exhibit are a shrine door and an offering bowl used to collect items that would be of use to people in the afterlife. Several handwoven mats are also on display,  made of dyed grasses tied in much the same manner as oriental rugs, and then clipped to make a pile.

Mr. Mathis said he learned much more about the pieces he has accumulated over about thirty years from the curator who helped him. “The meaning of the scarifications, the plaiting of the hair, the gesturing, the placing of the hand, finding out that even if the mouth is open or closed has meaning.”   Mr. Mathis explained the meaning of the two figures in the one dress is that the two figures represent twins who died at the same time, and that their parents were then obligated to feed and clothe them as if they were still alive.

The exhibit runs through November 2nd, with a reception to be held on Thursday, October 14th in the gallery at 5:30.

Taehwan Kim is the gallery assistant who mounted the "Relative Memory" show currently on display in the Kruk Gallery. He said it took him about a day to mount the show. When asked how he decides where to put things, he said, "I start with the big pieces first, then fill in the details." He is currently working on his Master of Arts degree from University of Wisconsin - Superior.

Photo is Taehwan with his favorite piece in the show, the Shrinehouse Door, from Mali.