This series of lectures is meant as an introduction to African Art, its variety of forms, the depth of its history, and how it became an important player first in Western culture and continues to be important in a global world.

The lecture on Sunday, Sept. 8 will focus on 21st Century African Photography.

This talk looks at photography currently on exhibit at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Africa Rising, as well as that part of the backstory centered on Studio Portraiture. Names that will become familiar: Seydou Keita, Malik Sidibé, Zanele Muhole, Aida Muluneh, George Osodi, Wilfred Ukpong, Omar Victor Diop, Heather Agyepong, Lina Iris Viktor, Cyrus Kabiru, Maurice Mbikeye, Tamary Kudita, and Sethembile Msezane. These are only a few of the photographers whose work is represented in the exhibition. Senegalese photographer Victor Diop has become known for his self-portraits adapted from historical European artworks featuring distinguished Africans. His Dom Miguel De Castro is based on a 1643 portrayal of a central African envoy sent to the Dutch Republic on a diplomatic mission. The image draws attention to Africans neglected in European history, while the inclusion of soccer gloves suggests parallels between those forgotten men of distinction and today’s sports heroes. Both gained glory and recognition but still face the challenge of being “other.”