This mask tells the truth.
A new exhibit “Disguise: Masks and Global African Art,” now on display at the Brooklyn Museum, showcases historical masks and contemporary issues. One piece, a wooden mask covered with dollar bills and titled “Homeless Hungry Homo,” gives a voice to those who have been ostracized because of their sexual orientation, said its Fort Greene-born creator.
“It’s to call attention to the issue of homelessness against gay Africans and gay blacks who have been demonized, criminalized, and cast out based on their sexual orientation,” said artist Adejoke Tugbiyele.
A queer Nigerian woman, Tugbiyele called her piece “Homeless Hungry Homo,” in order to express her own personal struggles and identity, she said.
“It’s basically in memory of a time I personally feared, coming out of the closet I would be left homeless — that thankfully never happened, but it’s a reality for many people,” said Tugbiyele.
The mask is attached to a reclining body made with palm spine, multi-colored yarn to represent gay pride, and parts of a metal sink. The figure’s chest is made of metal to convey strength, said Tugbiyele.
“It gives off a very regal and warrior-like quality,” she said. “The chest plate is also evoking armor and transcending those issues even though the world tries to put you down.”
Tugbiyele is one of 25 contemporary artists who bring a new perspective to the traditional African art of masquerade. The show features their work alongside more historical pieces to how mask — the art of disguise, is constantly developing, said the show’s curator
“Masquerade is responsive to ideas and evolving over time,” said Kevin Dumouchelle.
The show includes historic masks that stand alone, along with pieces that combine the face covers with music and moving images, in order to demonstrate masquerade’s role as performance art, said Dumouchelle.
“You see them on bodies, you hear music and suddenly you begin to understand masquerade is this full body performance genre,” he said. “What the show does, it brings the contemporary artists in dialogue with this tradition and brings it back to life and performs it again.”
“Disguise: Masks and Global African Art” at the Brooklyn Museum [200 Eastern Pkwy. at Washington Avenue in Crown Heights, (718) 638–5000, www.brook
