[Makonde Art Museum] Special Exhibition 'Makonde Sculpture Skeleton Exhibition - Carving Life Beyond Death' to be Held from July 18, 2026

Makonde Sculpture Skeleton Exhibition - Carving Life Beyond Death The Makonde Art Museum, as a 'museum of sculpture to see, touch, and feel,' has introduced a diverse range of plastic arts, centering on ebony sculptures by the Makonde people of Tanzania, Africa. This time, our museum will hold a special exhibition titled 'Skeleton,' focusing on a particularly original theme within Makonde sculpture, to introduce its rich world of expression. Makonde sculpture, which developed mainly in Tanzania, East Africa, is highly acclaimed worldwide for its exquisite and powerful forms using hard, black African ebony. This exhibition will focus on works with the unique theme of 'skeletons.' The skeleton sculptures of the Makonde are not used for rituals or ceremonies but are artistic expressions born from the rich imagination and outstanding skills of the sculptors. The representative sculptor, Arueshi Samaki, carved skeletons not merely as symbols of death, but as if they were living people—talking, thinking, sometimes laughing, and living their daily lives. A sense of humor and humanity emanates from them, giving viewers a strange sense of familiarity and a deep impression. Despite being only bones, what one feels is rather the presence of life. The free and dynamic forms unique to Makonde sculpture also reflect scenes of human figures and society through the theme of the skeleton. This exhibition will introduce the creative power of Makonde sculpture and the sculptors' perspective on human existence through the diverse expressions of these skeleton sculptures. Please witness the moment when the motif of the skeleton speaks of 'life' even beyond death. ■ Exhibition Overview Title: Makonde Sculpture Skeleton Exhibition - Carving Life Beyond Death Dates: Saturday, July 18, 2026 - Sunday, October 18, 2026 Museum Closures during the exhibition: Tuesdays (however, open on August 11 (Tue) and September 22 (Tue)), August 12 (Wed), September 24 (Thu) Venue: Makonde Art Museum Admission: Viewable with regular museum admission. Adults ¥1,000, High school students ¥800, Elementary/Middle school students ¥600, Infants free https://museum.makonde.jp/exhibition/ ■ Makonde Art Museum Overview A museum of sculpture to see, touch, and feel The Makonde Art Museum is a 'museum of sculpture to see, touch, and feel.' It exhibits Makonde sculptures made from African ebony by the Makonde people of Tanzania, Africa. Approximately 400 pieces from the collection of over 2,000 Makonde sculptures gathered by the former director, Tsuneo Mizuno, are on permanent display, along with paintings such as Tingatinga and African ethnographic materials. You can encounter sculptures full of life force created by the African continent. Location: 1799-4 Matsushita, Futami-cho, Ise-shi, Mie Prefecture TEL: 0596-42-1192 Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (last admission at 16:30) Closed: Tuesdays (or the next weekday if Tuesday is a holiday), the third Monday-Friday of February, June, and October, New Year holidays. Admission: Adults ¥1,000, High school students ¥800, Elementary/Middle school students ¥600, Infants free URL: https://museum.makonde.jp/