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ANCIENT AND INDIGENOUS ART OF THE AMERICAS Princeton—On February 3, 2015, the Princeton University 58 Art Museum unveiled a new installation for its collection of the traditional arts of the Americas. The dramatic new gallery showcases the range of artistic production from the ancient American past as well as Native American arts from more recent times. Geographically, the collection ranges from the Diaquita culture of Chile to the Inuit peoples of Alaska. The majority of the material in the new installation is Pre-Columbian, and within this collection the chronological and spatial ranges are marked by hallmark examples from major ancient American cultures, including a number of well-known masterpieces of Mesoamerican art, particularly from the Olmec and Maya peoples. The core of the ancient American collection was formed in the 1960s by Gillett G. Griffin, whose keen eye was attracted to elegant Olmec ceramics and jades as well as Maya Jaina figures. His enthusiasm for small-scale objects in the earliest days of collecting such material—sculpture, jewelry, and other costume elements—has been the source of inspiration for several generations of Princeton alumni and friends to collect ancient American art, many of whom have given significant objects and generously supported new acquisitions for the museum. Their generosity is now beautifully displayed for a new generation to benefit from. George Osodi (b. 1974), HRM Agbogidi Obi James Ikechukwu Anyasi II, Obi of Idumuje (2012). Photo courtesy of the Newark Museum. Above: George Osodi (b. 1974), HRM Pere Donokoromo II, The Pere of Isaba Kingdom (2012). Photo courtesy of the Newark Museum. Right: George Osodi (b. 1974), HRM Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife (2012). Photo courtesy of the Newark Museum. Installation views of the new gallery for ancient and indigenous art of the Americas at Princeton University Art Museum. Photos: Bruce M. White. ROYALS AND REGALIA Newark—Royals and Regalia: Inside the Palaces of Nigeria’s Monarchs at the Newark Museum presents forty visually stunning portraits from a new series by acclaimed Nigerian photographer George Osodi. Exhibited for the first time in the U.S., these vibrant color photographs feature the regional rulers of modern-day monarchies throughout the country. They provide audiences with a rare and intimate look inside Nigeria’s palaces and throne rooms, capturing the personalities of the rulers, the splendor of their dress, and the details of their settings. On view until August 9, 2015, these near life-size photographs are shown to dramatic effect along with select examples of prestige dress and regalia from the museum’s renowned collection. This exhibition kicks off a two-year celebration of the museum’s collecting of African art. A major reinstallation is targeted for completion in 2017, the centennial year of the museum’s African art collection.


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