Désir d’art: Confluence Museum’s New Temporary Exhibition
Explore a wide array of African art at the Confluences museum’s latest exhibition. Photo taken from the Confluence museum’s Facebook page. ©B.Stofleth
A Chance to See Unique African Art
Lovers of African art Ewa and Yves Develon have donated pieces of their collection to the museum to be shown at the Confluences museum’s latest temporary exhibition. They have an incredible collection of art, a massive 300 artefacts in fact. 60 of their most cherished pieces are at the museum, mainly African statues and masks from Nigeria.
An Artistic Journey
The exhibition gives visitors the chance to enter into the Develons’ world. You are taken on a journey through the Develons’ collection, starting with the first pieces they acquired in Nigeria in the 1970s, when Nigeria was going through a particularly turbulent time, with the great political instability. Nigeria is a country with a large mix of cultures and ethnicities, resulting in a wide array of interesting art.
The journey through the Develons’ collection continues with statues, masks, and carvings that the Develons describe as being pieces that stood out to them, real love at first sight.
Many of the objects serve a function, such as a horn that was probably used for drinking. But they also surpass their use with their design. It is the design that really captured the attentions of the Develons.
Their collection includes pieces bought from Africa itself, along with French markets.
Unique Stories Behind Each Piece
At the exhibition, you can see this piece, which involves colour. © musée des Confluences/photo Olivier Garcin
The masks track the progress from more realistic depictions to exaggerated ones. Likewise, many of the pieces show the toll of time or their use, such as cracks from lightning bolts, or a smooth surface from the piece being constantly handled.
Each piece has its own unique story, even if is hard to ascertain their origins. Whether it be realistic, unrealistic, or worn down by changing weather conditions, each piece depicts the culture and tradition of a small part of Africa.