“Striking Iron, the Art of African Blacksmiths” exhibition at Paris Musée du Quai Branly, ous pictures

Iron in all its shapes and sizes... From November 19, 2019 to March 29, 2020, the Musée du Quai Branly unveils with the “Striking Iron, the Art of African Blacksmiths” exhibition about 230 works showing the art of iron in all its glory.

Created between the 17^th century and the contemporary era, going from sculpture to a whole bunch of forms such as coins, music instruments, weapons, prestigious items, these pieces show the talent and technical exploits of African blacksmiths who are characters as worshipped as feared. A unique gathering of objects coming from over fifteen countries including Mali, Benin, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for one of the most complete presentation of the art of African Blacksmiths ever made!

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Not a lot of countries in the world have a stronger relationship with iron than sub-Saharan Africa. For over two millenniums, working one of the most fundamental materials in the world has revolutionized the continent and deeply shaped its communities and cultures, from the fields to the homes, from the battlefields to places of worship. Under the hammer of an African blacksmith, metal has been melted, wrought and hammered then transformed into objects, sometimes invested a social and spiritual power with a true art sensibility.

An exhibition highlighting in a lovely way the work of iron, the art related to it and allowing us to follow the evolution of wrought iron from the 17th century to nowaday. Let's go, friends, shall we?

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.