This exhibit is now over. The prices, dates, places and external hyperlinks on this page are not maintained and may no longer be accurate.
An exhibition entitled "Happy Bellies" by Susana López can be seen in the corridors and the library of the African Studies Centre in the Pieter de la Court building, Wassenaarseweg 52, Leiden until 1 March 2005.
Susana López, a stewardess with a craze for Africa, encountered body masks on one of her trips to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Chalk design |
Flower power |
Wooden |
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The wooden bellied sculptures (body masks) are made by the Makonde people. They are worn by male dancers during a ceremony at the end of initiation rites. The male dancer performs the agonies of childbirth, so that he can imagine how a woman must feel.
“I was immediately swept off my feet by their shape and the fact that each belly was different!
I import the bellies and paint them in the Netherlands and call them Happy Bellies!"
"Happy Belly" is a
way of brightening up the world with coloured sculptures, which take on another
dimension after painting, sometimes tough, sometimes sweet or simply crazy!
The body
masks are for sale and range in price from €200 to €450.
The building is open from Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00, so feel free to come and
take a look.
Zebra |
Tribal |
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Happy Bellies:
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