A NEW exhibition opened Aug. 15 at OCAT (OCT Contemporary Art Terminal) in Nanshan District, offering a window into less explored cultures.
“Another Face of the World — Masks, Sounds and Totems From the Global South” presents more than 100 art treasures that collector Yuan Jixin spent nearly 30 years gathering across more than 20 countries.
Bringing together century-old masks, totems and other precious artifacts from Southeast Asia, Africa and Oceania, the exhibition paints a vivid portrait of life and culture in the Global South. Many pieces were acquired during field visits to remote tribal communities and are rare.
At the entrance, a palace gate, an arch and a traditional canoe make a striking first impression, as if inviting the audience to pass through a temporal portal into another world. The journey unfolds through four themed sections: “Totem Power,” “Pavilions and Sounds,” “Masks and Adornments,” and “A Fluid Market.”
The first section presents dozens of larger than life totem poles and ancestral figures that convey the spiritual authority and collective strength of the tribes they once guarded. Yuan, who provided all the exhibits, says it’s a bit intimidating to enter his storage warehouse at night, with so many colossal figures “silently gazing into the darkness.”
The second section shifts focus to diverse musical traditions. Exhibits such as goatskin hand drums and Burmese harps are displayed not only as artifacts but as instruments still played today. Interaction is encouraged, and children are especially drawn to this area.
The third section features a range of masks, necklaces and puppets, each telling a story about its culture and the bold imagination of its makers.
The final section offers visitors the chance to purchase selected items as keepsakes; it presents mainly furniture like cabinets and chairs that would add an exotic, artistic touch to a home.
Driven by a keen interest in anthropology and respect for cultural diversity, Yuan spent nearly 30 years traveling from Papua New Guinea’s Sepik River to West African villages to collect these pieces, documenting local customs and beliefs. He spent nearly all his personal savings to assemble the collection, so the stories of lesser known groups could be seen and heard.
Running through Oct. 12 at OCAT Shenzhen, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the raw beauty of human imagination and the diversity of cultures, and opens new perspectives for art historical study.
Opening hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dates: Until Oct. 12
Venue: Hall A, OCAT, south area, OCT-LOFT, Nanshan District (华侨城当代艺术中心A馆)
Metro: Line 1 to Qiaocheng East Station (侨城东站), Exit A
