An exhibition on Central African art and culture will be held from April 30 to November 1, 2026, on the third floor of the Guangzhou Maritime Museum. Featuring a range of 19th- and 20th-century artworks and historical objects, the exhibition explores themes of the region's relationship with nature, its forms of social organization, and processes of cultural change.
On display are antelope masks, shields, and spears that reflect traditions incorporating natural elements into ritual practice and artistic expression.
Ceremonial objects such as staffs of office document the development of ancient kingdoms and the shifting structures of power in the region. Weapons, armor, and other objects further illustrate the complex patterns of exchange shaped by trade, marriage alliances, and conflict.
The exhibition also considers the impact of external forces, including early Portuguese colonial contact, on local societies, as well as the continued evolution of traditional cultural forms.
Also on display are masks and sculptures that show how objects once used in ritual contexts have been reinterpreted as globally celebrated works of art.
Scan to book tickets:
Tickets are priced at RMB 38 for standard admission, RMB 19 for concession tickets (students, seniors, etc.), and RMB 32 per person for groups of 10 or more. Early-bird tickets are available from April 20 to 30 at RMB 28.
Reporter | Chen Siyuan
Poster | Guangzhou Maritime Museum
