A first-of-its-kind exhibition exploring the artistry, innovation, and cultural significance of contemporary West African masquerade traditions.
LEFT: A pair of Kimi masks (headpiece carved by David Sanou in the studio of André Sanou) performing greetings with the lead griot Tchiedo playing his drum behind them, Bindougosso district, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, May 3, 2022. Photo by Lisa Homann. RIGHT: Kimi masquerade ensemble in honor of André Sanou’s Qui Dit Mieux?, 2022 (headpiece by David Sanou in the studio of André Sanou; the maker of the body requests anonymity). Collection of the Fitchburg Art Museum. Photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art.
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is pleased to announce ‘New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations’, a major exhibition showcasing the work of four contemporary West African artists: Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa, Sheku “Goldenfinger” Fofanah, David Sanou, and Hervé Youmbi. The exhibition will be on view from April 4 to August 10, 2025, in NOMA’s Ella West Freeman Galleries.
This groundbreaking exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of contemporary West African masquerade, featuring 13 full-body ensembles crafted for social, spiritual, entertainment, and museum contexts. The works highlight the artists’ innovative approaches while honoring long-standing traditions. Materials such as wood, fabric, sequins, feathers, raffia, and cowry shells bring these dynamic pieces to life.
Organized in collaboration with the Musée des Civilisations Noires (MCN) in Dakar, Senegal, the exhibition will travel in parallel tours across North America and Africa—marking a first-of-its-kind dual presentation.
A Global Perspective on Masquerade
Masquerade is an integral part of cultural expression worldwide, and ‘New African Masquerades’ places these West African traditions within a broader global context. “New Orleans has a rich history of masquerade and costuming, from Carnival to year-round parading traditions,” said Susan M. Taylor, The Montine McDaniel Freeman Director of NOMA. “This exhibition highlights masquerade as an evolving, global art form, connecting our local traditions to those in West Africa.”
‘New African Masquerades’ explores themes of collaboration, economics, innovation, and mobility, demonstrating the contemporary relevance of masquerade. The exhibition reveals the dynamic and participatory nature of these practices, which include performances, processions, and ceremonies.
Exhibition Highlights
- Thirteen full masquerade ensembles created by artists celebrated locally and internationally.
- Immersive video experiences featuring 360-degree footage of the ensembles in performance, artist interviews, and studio visits.
- Photography and recorded interviews offering firsthand insights into the cultural significance of masquerade.
- A bilingual (English-French) Progressive Web App (PWA) designed specifically for West African audiences.
Artist Contributions and Ethical Considerations
Hervé Youmbi, a featured artist and core member of the exhibition’s curatorial team, examines the ethical complexities of presenting masquerade in museum spaces. “My work challenges traditional notions of African masks and seeks new ways to collect and exhibit them,” said Youmbi. ‘New African Masquerades’ raises critical discussions about cultural ownership, provenance, and the role of museums in presenting living traditions.
Exhibition Catalogue A 264-page catalogue, co-published by NOMA and D Giles Limited and distributed by Yale University Press, will accompany the exhibition. Featuring contributions from leading scholars, the volume includes 188 color and black-and-white illustrations, artist biographies, and in-depth analyses of masquerade traditions.
Exhibition Travel Schedule
- April 4 – August 10, 2025: New Orleans Museum of Art
- October 10, 2025 – January 4, 2026: Frist Art Museum, Nashville
- February 27 – July 5, 2026: San Antonio Museum of Art
- September 2026 – January 2027: Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida
- February 19 – September 26, 2027: Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Washington, DC
African Presentations:
- February – June 2026: Musée des Civilisations Noires, Dakar, Senegal
- Fall 2026: Sierra Leone National Museum, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- 2027: National Museum, Calabar, Nigeria
The African presentations will feature parallel commissioned masquerade ensembles, which will remain in the care of local communities and institutions.
Exhibition Team and Support ‘New African Masquerades‘ is curated by Amanda M. Maples, Françoise Billion Richardson Curator of African Art at NOMA, with co-curators Jordan A. Fenton (Miami University, Ohio) and Lisa Homann (UNC Charlotte), alongside Aimé Kantoussan (MCN, Dakar) and Hervé Youmbi.
The exhibition is generously supported by major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), funding research, production, and interpretive materials.
As part of the NEH implementation grant, NOMA hired Simeneh Gebremariam as Curatorial and Programs Assistant in January 2024 to support the development and presentation of the exhibition. With experience in museums across North America and Africa, Gebremariam holds an MA in sociocultural anthropology and a graduate certificate in African studies from the University of Michigan. He also earned a BA in music and an MA in cultural studies from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.
The exhibition will be on view from the 4th of April until the 10th of August, 2025. For additional information, please visit New Orleans Museum of Art.
