Exhibit of art and artifacts of Cameroon

Works representing the different Cameroon cultures and areas of life are highlighted in the current Queensborough Community College Art Gallery exhibition “A Cameroon World: Art and Artifacts from the Marshall and Caroline Mount Collection.”
Dr. Marshall Mount’s interest in such works of art first developed in 1961 while he was traveling to sub-Saharan Africa. He “became fascinated with crafts and utilitarian objects, and by the information they provided about the status of their owners and other aspects of local culture.” The Mounts are contributors to the gallery’s permanent collection, which is how they got involved with the current exhibition.
More than 200 items, including art and artifacts, make up the “A Cameroon World” exhibition. It includes figurative and architectural sculptures, masks, costumes, hats, jewelry, pipes, vessels, pots, furniture, weapons, musical instruments and paintings.
“It covers every aspect of life in Cameroon, from the north to the south and the east to the west,” said Queensborough Community College Art Gallery Director Faustino Quintanilla, adding that the pieces are “very functional art” and were not merely for decoration but that they were actually used. He continued, “The beauty of the artifacts and the craftsmanship that these people have is amazing.”
The curator of the exhibition is Leonard Kahan, who formerly owned the L. Kahan Gallery of African Art in New York and has degrees from the Pratt Institute and Brooklyn College. He has also taught at Brooklyn College and Queens College.
The exhibition also has videos made by Joseph Nwoteh Kwango that show different ceremonies and festivals. Quintanilla said that the video and exhibit itself are very informative.
“A Cameroon World: Art and Artifacts from the Marshall and Caroline Mount Collection” will be on display through February 28.
“I hope that the community knows it’s here and takes advantage. As a community college, we want to be a service to the community and students,” Quintanilla said. “The community is very important to us.”
While at the Queensborough Community College Art Gallery, visitors can also see its permanent collection, which “focuses on works of contemporary American women artists, Hispanic artists, and works representing the art of Africa.” Among the artists, whose works it has are Carol Feuerman, Andr/ Girard, Marta Chilindron, Richard Pousette-Dart, Albert Terris, Martin Rosenthal, Miriam Beerman, Eduardo Costa, Kathy Caraccio, John Hultberg and Elsa Goldsmith.
The gallery also has a photography collection. Jules Allen, Marlene Marks, John Caplans and Danny Lyons are some of the photographers included in it.
The Queensborough Community College Art Gallery is located at 222-05 56th Avenue in Bayside. Its hours are Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 718-631-6396 or visit www.qccArtGallery.org.