Gouro Mask
Artwork explanation
Gouro are very advanced in art and were influenced by Baule. To them hairstyle is very important, and they count hair stylists as artists.
The art of this tribe has also been influenced by the neighboring tribe, Bete.
Gouro live to the west of Baule tribe in Côte d’Ivoire in a forest with rich flora and savannah trees.
The south of Gouro is of significant importance because of the fertile lands.
They sow rice and cotton and depending on the weather conditions each year they also might sow cocoa and yam.
Men prepare the land for farming and women sow the crops.
In each village there are different races and the headman is chosen from one of the older races. The society of the elders and some other groups help the headman in his tasks.
They consult the fortune-tellers to identify religious rituals or about the future.
Distinguishing features:
We can think of the art of Gouro as fine and precise. Sloe-eyed masks with long faces and concave profiles are an example.
Although their art is influenced by Baule but they show more tendencies to use animal features in their human statues, such as elephant ears or a bird’s head.
Artwork Description
This mask is used in celebrations.
Exhibition history
Tehran Gallery
Cote d Ivoire
solo exhibition, 07 December - 27 December
Other works by Cote dIvoires Peoples
Cote dIvoires Peoples (b.1900)
Bonu Amuen mask , 1900
Signed, 1900 Carving on wood 36.5 x 15.5 x 16 cm
Cote dIvoires Peoples (b.1900)
Grand Kpelie Mask , 1900
Signed, 1900 Carving on wood 147 x 49 x 26 cm
Cote dIvoires Peoples
Gouro Mask - 1900
Carving on wood 41 x 20 x 13.5 cm CoA no. 1812041420578
This artwork is unique
Price
£2,100
Available to purchase
