Important Works of Primitive Art
Curated by Entwistle Gallery, London and Paris
 
On view: November 12 – November 20, 2008
Opening Reception with Roberta Entwistle: Saturday, November 15, 2008, 2 – 5 p.m.
 

McClain Gallery, in cooperation with Entwistle Gallery of London and Paris, is pleased to announce the opening of Important Works of Primitive Art, curated by Roberta Entwistle.  The exhibition features 26 ceremonial and domestic works from Sub-Sahara African, New Zealand, New Guinea, and Eskimoan cultures.  Selected 19th century works include: Fang Head, Gabon; Punu Mask, Gabon; Akan Terracotta Head, Ghana; Maori Panels, New Zealand, and from the 20th century: Grebo Mask, Liberia; Songe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo; Malinke Mask, Ivory Coast; and Ramu Mask, New Guinea.
 

Entwistle’s reputation as one of the premier dealers in Primitive and African Art is based on her rigorous choice of objects, backed by thorough academic research.  Entwistle is responsible for introducing many iconic works in the field of Primitive art; the objects are frequently noted in publications as the greatest works in their categories.  In January of 2008, Entwistle’s Kongo power figure, from the Kegel-Konietzko Collection, was added to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s African collection.  In March of the same year, the Musée de Quai Branly in Paris, added a rare Bini-Portuguese ivory salt-cellar from Entwistle.  Other major museum sales include a 16th century Benin roll-collar head to the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kansas, and a Madagascar funerary post, previously owned by Sir Jacob Epstein, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. 

Roberta Entwistle has an extensive relationship with Texas museums and institutions, including the McDermott Foundation of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, The Kimbell Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Menil Foundation, all of whom she has worked diligently with to bring Primitive art to a wider audience.  


 

For further information, please contact: info@entwistlegallery.com <mailto:info@entwistlegallery.com> or info@mcclaingallery.com <mailto:info@mcclaingallery.com>

McClain Gallery
2242 Richmond Ave.
Houston, Texas  77098
T: 713.520.9988
F: 713.520.0055
www.mcclaingallery.com
Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Image: Punu Mask, height 12.2 inches; Photograph: Hughes Dubois