Modern Day Masks

As a kid growing up in Liberia, I use to be slightly terrified at the vast collection of traditional African masks that my mom collected and displayed in our living room. All dark and ominous, these reflected the skills, available materials, and interests of their original designers. But let's fast forward to the here and now. While there is nothing wrong with traditionally designed masks, today's African artist, including Beninese sculptor Calixte Dakpogan (creator of the two above masks) are putting their stamp on masks today with new imagination and plenty of interesting materials!

If you are in NYC, you can head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to check out their current exhibit "Reconfiguring an African Icon."

{Photos: Metropolitan Museum of Art}