The Art of African Masks: Exploring Cultural Traditions (Art Around the World)
Grade 5 Up-Although this topic is touched upon in many books about Africa, it is rare to find a whole volume devoted to the subject. Finley focuses on the regions where mask making is most prevalent: the Western Sudan, the Guinea Coast, and Central Africa. The cultures and countries where it was practiced in the past and where many masks are still made are highlighted on a map of the continent. Each culture is given brief coverage emphasizing the traditional use of the masks, the materials used in their creation, and the current state of the art form when possible. Clear, sharp full-color photographs of museum artifacts are well placed on the pages and reflect the large variety of materials used in mask making. Pictures of modern members of still-existing cultures add to the attractiveness of this volume.Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OHCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.