MUnA hosts unprecedented exhibition on African art in Uberlândia

The exhibition 'African Art: Masks and Sculptures' presents 180 pieces from the Africa Collection, gathered over a period of approximately 20 years; open to the public until July 20
The University Museum of Art of the Federal University of Uberlândia (MUnA/UFU) opened to the public last Friday, May 16, the exhibition African Art: Masks and Sculptures, which will remain on display until July 20, 2025. The exhibition presents 180 pieces from the Africa Collection, gathered over a period of approximately two decades. Curated by Marisa Moreira Salles, Tomas Alvim, Renato Araújo and Danilo Garcia, it brings together masks, statuettes and various objects of daily and ritualistic use originating from different cultures of the African continent.

The collection originated from an aesthetic attraction to art that influenced fundamental names of European modernism, such as Picasso, Brancusi and Giacometti. Over the years, the organizers have deepened their knowledge of the symbolic, historical and cultural meanings of the pieces, recognizing in them formative elements of Brazilian culture.

Considered one of the first exhibitions of its kind in Uberlândia, African Art: Masks and Sculptures offers a representative sample of traditional African art, including spoons, combs, pulleys, mama watas, bronzes, ornaments, ritual pieces, neck rests and fabrics. More than objects, the masks on display function as portals to an ancestral culture, evoking myths, secrets and symbols that span generations. The sculptures stand out for the ritualistic charge expressed in each cut and ornament.

The exhibition also includes household utensils, musical instruments and benches, which reveal the ingenuity and aesthetic sophistication of their creators. The diversity of shapes and the striking presence of geometry reveal an artistic sensitivity that permeates everything from the simplest objects to prestigious and cult artifacts.

In addition to highlighting the aesthetic power of African art, the exhibition offers an immersion into the myths, celebrations and knowledge of the peoples of the continent. When contemplating the pieces of the Africa Collection, visitors are faced with an experience that combines originality with familiarity – the result of the deep connections between Brazil and Africa, which help shape Brazilian cultural identity.

Visitation is free and can be done in the exhibition space of the University Museum of Art, until July 20. MUnA is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 9 am to 6 pm, and on weekends, from 1 pm to 5 pm.

See below more images of the new exhibition on display at MUnA: