DOGON ART
Dominating from the XIVth century the Bandiagra's cliffs, in Malia, DOGON initiated
a very old artistic production. Line and shape's style is the main criterion to show power
of rites organising their society. Each work is a deep representation of cosmogony structuring
daily life.
A single cosmogony
As a patriarcal society, all professions have a ritual meaning according to God Amma and
his eight ancestors. DOGON or HEBBE means « pagan », who refuses to agree to Islam.
Amma looked like an egg, DOGON statues have always an ovoid head to make shown its
religious and initiation value.
The eight ancestors are associated to a profession and a colour:
Black smith and potter : red and blue
Farmer : white and green
Sculptor : orange
Speaker : green mill
Armand Auxiètre, managing Director at gallery « L'oeil et la main » choosed to present
for this exhibition a DOGON's maternity.
This choice to show how, even if maternity has the meaning of fertility, it is also full of
symbols and sacred characters evocating the powerfull world of spirits.
Threw these representations sculpture delicacy and DOGON patina underline its power.
DOGON Maternity
Malia – wood- old patina
Maternity represents a woman sitting on a stool, very delicately sculpted, and keep her
child on knees. Chil tries to hold on her bosom.
A solemn expression and full of dignity mother's expression givest to this work an intense
dimension much more than showing daily life : cosmic energy emanating of this DOGON
creation.
