Têtes africaines
Abdoulaye M'Bow
Sylvie François
Not on view
Têtes Africaines is a striking collaboration between painter Abdoulaye M'Bow and tapestry weaver Sylvie François. Inspired by African mask forms, particularly the Pende sickness mask, M'Bow’s painting features distorted facial features and symbiotic, decorative forms. François translated the painting into tapestry using techniques learned in Aubusson, blending French and Senegalese traditions. The piece is a rare fusion of cultures, showcasing both the abstraction of African identity and exceptional weaving craftsmanship. This work complements the Met’s collection by introducing the achievements and experiments of a major twentieth-century artistic movement that developed in Senegal.
