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In addition to their continually transforming histories of influence in Africa and its diasporas, Mami Wata and other African and African Atlantic water spirits have gained an even wider audience, as well as new meanings and import, by capturing the imaginations of a number of contemporary artists. This section of the exhibition features the work of several artists--men and women from Africa, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean--who have found in Mami Wata and her cohorts a highly intriguing subject matter. Even though they may not worship her, Mami Wata has entered the dreams and waking hours of these artists, seducing them into creating extraordinary works that open our eyes, minds, and imaginations to wonderful possibilities. The unique understandings and involvements of contemporary artists with water spirits also allow them to employ Mami Wata and other underwater denizens to address issues of gender, race, morality, identity, economics, environment, and politics.
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Alison Saar (b. 1956, Los Angeles, California)
La Pitonisa, 1987
Wood, copper, tin
Collection of Justine I. Linforth
Photo by Don Cole
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Moyo Ogundipe (b. 1948, Ijesha-Ishu, Nigeria; active Denver, Colorado)
Mami Wata, 1999
Acrylic on canvas
Collection of Chike Obianwu
Photo by Don Cole
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