Haggerty Museum of Art presents African diasporic identity exhibitions

The Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University is presenting ‘The Otherworld is Home,’ a series of free public exhibitions and programs exploring African diasporic identity. Inspired by the Yorùbá proverb, ‘Life is a journey, the otherworld is home,’ the presentation examines themes of personal reclamation, cultural identity, and spiritual passage across various African diasporas.

The museum is hosting three concurrent exhibitions. ‘African Art: Ancient Roots, Enduring Values’ features over 40 classical and neoclassical works that demonstrate how traditional craftsmanship bridges the tangible and spiritual realms. Guest curator Henry John Drewal notes that the exhibition explores how African works of art acquire different meanings as they travel across cultural, political, and religious boundaries.

Additionally, Nigerian-born artist Iké Udé is presenting his photographic series, ‘Sartorial Anarchy.’ The work utilizes clothing and objects from diverse eras and locations to subvert conventional markers of cultural and individual identity, creating multifaceted self-portraits that blend disparate traditions.