The Language of Power: Royal Sculptures of Medieval West Africa

This exhibition aims to explore the rich sculptural traditions of the Igbo-Ukwu and Yoruba peoples and their conceptions of authority figures, with various objects depicting royalty and powerful figures in their respective societies. It identifies the marks of ancient Nigerian art that communicate political power and human beauty, and elucidates how these groups connected the physical form to the idea of the soul and their theological belief systems. The sculptures included in the exhibition showcase the craftsmanship and artistic mastery of the Igbo-Ukwu and Yoruba royal court artists and local artisans, highlighting their intricate sculptural traditions and their flexible approaches to naturalism and abstraction. The complexities of figural representation and aesthetic values across West African societies are highlighted, through the intricate symbolism and iconography of authority and prestige that developed among the Yoruba and Igbo-Ukwu peoples. The potential functions of these objects are also important to the display, either as ritual objects, burial effigies, commemorative pieces by royal commission, or otherwise.