Date: Jan 14, 2009

Hofstra University Museum Presents "Out of Africa: Works From the Hofstra University Museum Collection"

Exhibit Includes a Rich Legacy of African Art

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra University Museum presents Out of Africa: Works From The Hofstra University Museum Collection, a unique exhibition that highlights the relationship between function and form while revealing important insights into African artistic expression. The exhibition is curated by the Museum’s Curator of Collections, Eleanor Rait.

This exhibit, on view January 12 through March 15, 2009 in the Hofstra University Museum’s David Filderman Gallery, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Ninth Floor, South Campus, divides into three thematic sections and showcases 26 works produced from the late 19th to 20th centuries. Artifacts include headdresses, weapons, tools and figurative sculptures from nine countries located in western and central Africa, including Cote d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All pieces give expression to a number of Sub-Saharan cultures and enable visitors to appreciate their aesthetic value in relation to their original functions.

“This exhibition provides an opportunity to spotlight the Hofstra University Museum’s rich collection of African art,” said Director of the Hofstra University Museum Beth E. Levinthal. “Audiences can take a closer look at the meaning and significance of the art while gaining a greater application for its aesthetic impact. Viewers also discover the rich cultural traditions that continue to influence art of the present-day.”

On Friday, February 6, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. in the David Filderman Gallery, in conjunction with the exhibit, Hofstra University Professor of Anthropology Cheryl Mwaria will focus on a single work of art and discuss how its creation was shaped by a complex set of relationships to history, geography, language, politics, economics, and the cultural experience of the African people. This program will be followed by an Exhibition Reception, at 3:30 p.m. in the David Filderman Gallery.

For more information on this exhibit and associated public programs call (516) 463-5672 or visit the Hofstra University website at www.hofstra.edu/museum .

The Hofstra University Museum has been awarded the highest honor a museum can receive, continued accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM). Approximately 5% of museums nationwide have earned this distinguished recognition. Accreditation certifies that the Hofstra University Museum operates according to professional standards, manages its collections responsibly and provides quality service to the public.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.