Renovated African art gallery at Mint Museum Randolph

MINT MUSEUM

The renovated African art galleries at Mint Museum Randolph fills three gallery spaces. The initiative, led by UNC Charlotte art history professor Lisa Homann, recently opened

The Mint Museum Randolph’s renovated African art galleries are open.

The multiyear project, curated by UNC Charlotte art history professor Lisa Homann PhD is part of a renewed focus on the collection and its connections to broader historical, cultural, and artistic contexts. The The initiative, which fills three gallery spaces, included a review of archives and evaluation of each piece to reflect the diversity of African art as well as its cultural significance and origins.

“We wanted this installation to change expectations for our museum visitors,” said Jen Sudul Edwards PhD, who recruited Homann in 2019 to lead the project. “Dr. Homann provides explanations and context for the works on view, but with her deep dive into the individual works, we are also self-consciously addressing what we know and how we know it. Instead of absolute authority on a subject, the installation admits to limits and gaps in our knowledge. This approach reminds us that, even though you are in an institution, nothing is static; this research is always evolving, incorporating new discoveries and exposing new possibilities."

The galleries highlight art from across Africa that emphasize the diversity of styles, materials, and purposes for objects created since the late 19th century. Among the works are masks, sculptures, and textiles presented to emphasize their roles within society and explore global connections, ceremonial masquerades, and the historical influence of Western perceptions on African art.

Among the features of the expanded and redesigned galleries is “Kimi Masquerade Ensemble” a 2024 commission by David Sanou. The display, created in Burkino Faso, is complemented by an immersive video of a masquerade ceremony, giving the viewer a deeper understanding of the piece’s cultural context. 

An emphasis on intellectual honesty and cultural responsibility is also part of the gallery. Any work for which the artist information is unknown or can’t be confirmed is labeled "Unrecorded Artist.” If there’s uncertainty about an object’s origin, it’s referred to with terms like “possibly” or “probably.”

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