Central African Art - Invocation of an Unseen World

The Indra and Harry Banga Gallery of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is delighted to present an unprecedented exhibition “Central African Art – Invocation of an Unseen World”, jointly curated by Mr Hing Chao, Mr Henry Lu and Ms Amanda Wang Youlin, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of Central Africa in Hong Kong for the first time.

From 9 May – 28 September 2025, the public can immerse themselves in the forgotten world of Central African arts, featuring nearly 200 artefacts from the 19th to the early 20th centuries through multi-sensory channels. The relatively short time span reflects both the historical neglect of Central African art as well as the impact of colonialism on African cultures. At the same time, the stunning works on display here bear witness to a time when Central African communities still maintained their independence, cultural identity and artistic traditions. Sub-Saharan Central Africa is a diverse land with varied landscapes, from rainforests to snow-capped mountains. Each community developed unique artistic traditions, reflected in objects that evoke collective memories. The greatest artistic attention was lavished on the three treasures of Central African art: sculptures, masks, and weapons, which were integral to social and ritual life, carrying symbolic meanings and spiritual powers.

Exploring the rich cultural heritage of Central Africa, the exhibition is organised into three main sections— (1) Ritual Sculpture – Invocation; (2) Masks – Transfiguration; (3) Weapons – Social & Symbolic Action—as well as a section on Geographical Zones. Beyond passively observing artefacts from Central Africa, the exhibition (re)interprets the arts reflecting beliefs, rituals and sociocultural memories of the people through 5 media art installations spread across sections curated by Dr Yumeng Hou.

The exhibition offers insights into the artistic legacy of Central Africa, revealing the intricate connections between art, spirituality, and society. The public can immerse themselves in Central African culture and artworks through the innovative new media installations. Experience the spiritual narratives of The Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi) through immersive animation, virtually wear 3D-scanned Dancing Masks, and explore Weapons in Motion with RFID technology. They can also engage in A Warrior Play, mimicking the martial arts of a Zande warrior king.

“This exhibition is a window into the lost world of Central Africa before colonial conquest in the early 20th century. Today, we stand at an important historical moment when there is rising interest in narratives about the past and, as a university gallery, we are particularly pleased to show through this exhibition the diverse, colourful, and spiritually charged artistic cultural heritage of Central Africa, which is presented in Hong Kong for the first time.” said Mr Hing Chao.

The exhibition also explores Central Africa's diverse regions—divided into West Central Africa, Zandeland, Deep Central Africa, Kuba, Luba, and the Great Lakes Region—and the artistic traditions therein. Beyond their unique aesthetic forms, these artworks also reveal Central African communities’ cultural values and spirituality.