This exhibition presents over 100 works of traditional and contemporary African craft, including furniture, pottery, basketry, textiles, jewelry, clothing, weapons, currency, and more. The objects originate from many areas of Africa, and are part of layered cultural stories and histories. Each work invites us not just to consider the object, but also the maker – a person often unknown to us – whose inspiration and sense of design made an everyday object extraordinary.

African by Design is drawn from Mingei International Museum’s permanent collection and local private collections.