“Alongside the Iggy Pop Life Class drawings, I have selected some objects from the Brooklyn Mu
“Alongside the Iggy Pop Life Class drawings, I have selected some objects from the Brooklyn Museum’s collection featuring the male nude. The naked form here sometimes appears as an object of worship, sometimes as a disruptive presence. Certain of these objects if made now would be considered shocking or even obscene, but in their original context were seen as devotional. The tension between the sacred and profane has inspired artists and storytellers for thousands of years, including the creators of rock and roll music.” —Jeremy DellerIn this Fang reliquary figure, the male form is reduced to basic shapes—cylinders and circles—echoing the cylindrical reliquary box on which the figure sat. It demonstrates a distinctly different approach to the human form than the Western tradition of naturalism. The artist has accentuated some parts of the body over others, invoking Fang ideas about showing the connection between death and rebirth by combining infantile forms with more mature characteristics.Master of Ntem (Fang [Mvai subgroup], circa 1750-1860). Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema-o-Byeri), n.d. Ntem River basin, Gabon. Wood, iron. Brooklyn Museum -- source link
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