The Coastguard Station Arts Centre, Tramore, is hosting a fine exhibition of Tribal Art from the African Forest Congo. The wooden sculptures take pride of place with a wonderful selection of pieces featuring people studies and a range of animals. The selection of wood types is especially interesting with Moabi wood, whose fruit produces nut oil used in food preparation. The warm tone of Wenge wood and Padouk wood are beautiful and the red resin from Padouk is used in ceremonial red kaolin for body painting. The Ebony Heartwood, with its deep jet and dark brown tones, is used for musical instruments, cutlery, tools and carvings. The grain in White Ivory Wood is so attractive and it is used in religious icons as well as commercial carvings like a stunning Rhino on display.
The Sand paintings uses a technique of mixing sand with paint to produce attractive images. ABSTRACT COUPLE stands out in contrast to the physical detail of the other mostly female studies.
My favourite was WOMEN BATHING where the four figures are highlighted in a beautifully dark blue tint with a great sense of depth.
The exhibition was opened by Kieran Walsh, Managing Director/ Editor of this newspaper and the exhibition runs until 28 September.
