VAM galleries including this work:
The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art | Do You See a Pattern? || VAM Home

It is very rare to find African tribal art made in wood that is older than 100 years. Some tribal art was buried and subject to speedy deterioration. Other objects have been destroyed by the termite-ridden African environment. Religious missionaries also were known to destroy tribal art because they perceived these objects to be contrary to the beliefs they were promoting.

The geometric and abstract patterns found in some primitive African art influenced many early 20th century artists, such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Artists can be influenced by images and objects created before them, but they may evolve aspects of these images and objects into their own personal styles.

Classroom Ideas

Discussion: Vocabulary relating to this artwork includes carving, bas relief, pattern, crosshatch lines, geometric design, abstract, symbolism, decorative, and functional. Look at this door and others in the Virtual Art Museum, such as the Yoruba doors from the Speed Art Museum and the wooden sideboys from the Kentucky Historical Society. Why would doors be decorated?

Activities: Research the Nupe people and their culture. Create posters or classroom displays on what you learn. Create a door design inspired by what you learn about Nupe traditions or using symbols that are significant to your culture.

Writing Prompts:

Grade Level: High School
Prompt: Your archaeologist friend has just discovered this piece of art and wants you to help him/her analyze it. After looking at it, you begin to think about the detail of the carving. Write a free-verse poem about the door. You can include background information about the piece in the poem, how it makes you feel, what it would be like to carve such an object, or other ideas along these lines.

Grade Level: Intermediate
Prompt: Make a list of descriptive and emotional words that you think of when you see this piece. Be sure to think about the symbols on the door and the person who made the door. What kinds of feelings did they have as they made this door?

Links

A list of links to sites with information about Nigeria can be found at the University of Pennsylvania African Studies Center.
[www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Nigeria.html]

For sites with information about African cultures, check the Stanford University Libraries’ page on Africa South of the Sahara.
[www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/guide.html]

Ethnographica.com has numerous examples of African art objects.
[www.ethnographica.com]

To view more wooden doors by Nupe peoples, along with other examples of African art, visit the Hamill Art Gallery (a commercial art gallery).
[www.hamillgallery.com/NUPE/NupeDoors/NupeDoors.html]