Zaire legacy

A mask with horns.

Heart-shaped masks are found all along the Congo River, and worn at rituals and performances together with special costumes. The masks on exhibition are mainly from the early 20th century, and the wood - especially some light wood that the masks were made of - is difficult to conserve.

"All the masks are authentic, and have been used in rituals and ceremonies," Martin says. Since mid-20th century, the tribal lifestyle in Africa gradually gave way to modernization, and these masks and sculptures lost their pragmatic use. They were made for sale as artifacts.

The second and third parts of the exhibition are dedicated to the subject of ancestor veneration, featuring sculptures of ancestors.

Hairstyle, headdress, scarifications and ornaments are also presented to emphasize the figure's status and identity.

Some communities have preserved the bones and skulls of prominent ancestors. These relics are used at significant events such as initiations, death rites and selection of a new leader.

Relics were sometimes carefully stored in bark boxes or woven baskets. Often a carved head or figure was placed on top of the reliquary, as protector of the relics. Some of them can be found in the show.

Since most of the ancestor's sculptures are males, the curator has dedicated a section for women.

Artifacts from Africa brought such fresh inspiration to the Western art scene in the early 20th century that modern masters such as Pablo Picasso and Paul Guillaume developed a new style Cubism from it, says Chen, the director of Shanghai Museum.

The exhibition may be different from what the audiences in Shanghai are used to, Martin says. "I hope it will open their mind to African art."

It made its debut appearance in Asia two years ago in Singapore. From Shanghai, it will proceed to Seoul before flying back to France, as the objects are fragile and complicated to transport, Martin adds.