By Nicarlyle Hanchard / The Jambar
The Youngstown Steel Museum is hosting a late Black History Month display of Makonde sculptures until the end of March.
The sculptures were previously part of the personal collection of Tazim and Dr. Nazim Jaffer.
Patrick Spearman, associate professor of teacher education and leadership studies and director of the Africana Studies program, said the sculptures were donated to Youngstown State University’s Africana Studies program through a previously established relationship with the Jaffers and former professor Samuel Adu-Poku.
“[Tazim] had toured throughout Africa and collected these artifacts and this was in their home, it was their personal collection,” Spearman said. “Because they had a relationship with [Adu-Poku] and they knew the work we do in the community, they gifted us these artifacts.”
Jonathan Cambouris, administrator of the Steel Museum, said the decision to have the Makonde exhibit was spontaneous.
“It was a collaboration in the humanities department between history and Africana Studies,” Cambouris said. “[There] were layers of approval that went very well and everyone was very happy and excited about it.”
Spearman said the exhibit was intended for Black History Month, but a late start to its installation resulted in the sculptures being displayed throughout March.
The exhibit features wooden helmets made with human hair, a utilitarian comb, a flute and udu drum, among others. Also in the display is a sculpted storage pot by Leah Sydney, a senior bachelor’s of fine arts student.
While housed by the Africana Studies program, the Makonde sculptures are not available for student viewing. Spearman said there are other sculptures on display with easy access for students.
Spearman said he would like to have a display in the department for the sculptures and offer a course to discuss African art.
“I would love to offer a course in African art where we can actually bring someone in who’s an expert. We have someone here who I can call no problem, who would be able to do that,” Spearman said. “But the issue is always, you offer a course, would students take it? Would students enroll?”
Historically speaking, Spearman said students knowing these artifacts exist is a step toward shifting the narrative surrounding Africans.
“There’s been this mindset that African people haven’t done anything. The only thing they have done is at the behest of their enslavers and colonizers,” Spearman said. “To see that art and know it was created by individuals who some people thought could not do any art — if nothing else, disputes that myth.”
The Makonde exhibit will be on display at the Steel Museum until the end of the month. The museum is open Wednesday through Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Saturdays, noon-4 p.m.