I'm looking at a panel of Kuba cloth from Congo and wondering again whether's it's at all possible to understand 20th century art without knowing something about African art.
Ilse Lichtenberger, owner of Earthsong Village on Kingston Road, gives up trying to hoist the heavy Nimba (or "old woman") mask onto her head and comes over to ask, "Did you know Matisse's Parisian apartment was practically papered with the stuff?  That's why it's sometimes called Matisse cloth."   With it's organic appliqued shapes, the connection between Kuba cloth and Matisse's collages of leafy cutouts is immediately apparent.
Ilse's shop is a motherlode of fine African art, both antique and modern, from Ivory Coast, Congo, Mali, Benin, Guinea.  "African art is more defined by clan than country," Ilse explains as she hefts an elegant Benin bronze back on a shelf and picks up a beautifully-patinated Chokwe mask.  Her enthusiasm, knowledge and reputation have recently brought her several consignments of antique pieces, like a gazelle-shaped Bambara mask from Mali that she is happy to show and talk about.
Situated in Toronto's east end at 2436 Kingston Road (take the #12 bus from Victoria Park Station and get off at Sandown), Earthsong Village also sells traditional black soap--made from roasted cocoa pods and ash of plantain skins mixed with palm oil and perfect for sensitive skin--bulk shea butter, finely-worked metal boxes, drums, jewellery, tree ornaments made from recycled materials and other interesting items suitable for holiday giving.  It's a long time before I'm able to tear myself away, and only then with a promise to myself to learn more about Africa's powerful, and influential, art.

 

 

March 13 - Laura Dee, who designs and creates some of our fabulous jewellery, will give a Workshop on making your own bracelet.  We need advanced registration for this workshop.  Please call the store.

Fee:  $15
 
March 20 -ART SHOW featuring Haitian Art. From Noon to 5PM. Purchase a lovely piece of original art, and help out a Haitian artist!

 
March 26 and 27 - MODERN BATIK ART WORKSHOP.  Taught by  Tiana Robinson, star student of renowned artist David Kibuuka, this 2-day course  shows you the basic steps in the proces of Modern Batik Art.