Mamiya Statue, Nigeria, c. 1960

Mamiya figures are highly abstract, perhaps in part because they invoke forms of human and supernatural authority, a feature unique to AFRICANO art. The legs are often angular and the ribbon-like arms encircle the torso with the elbows clearly marked. The heads may display a mohawk-like hairstyle. Scarification on the face and body is outlined and the nasal septum may be pierced for the insertion of a short section of a guinea corn stalk. Some of these sculptures have large, pierced, distended ears for the insertion of earplugs. A female figure is recognizable by the shape of the ears, prominently featuring large holes, symbolizing the distended earlobes of the women of this ethnic group. Statues representing male ancestors often have full earlobes. Reproduced: Catalogue “Africa Babel: the Art of a Continent”, p.-84 right Height: 108 cm
 
Exhibitions:
2022-2024 Island of Fuerteventura “Art Africa: Ancestral Light”. Lighthouse of the Entallada. Cabildo of Fuerteventura.
2021-2022 Panama City. Government of Panama. “Art Africa: the spirit of the ancestors”. Ministry of Culture Headquarters. Casco Viejo.
2019-2020 Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Caja Canarias Foundation. “Africa-Babel: the art of a Continent”. Headquarters Plaza Patriotismo.
2013-2015 Museum of Art of Africa and Oceania (Madao). La Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia.
2005 “Black Africa”, Leather Museum.
2004 “Black Africa”. Caixa Laietana Foundation, Barcelona. Main exhibition hall