Ibibio Monkey Statue, Nigeria

Eduardo Uhart, Barcelona
Allan Stone, New York

Allan Stone Gallery, New York, Fetishism, March 2 - May 8, 1992

This elaborate statue, a wide-eyed, grinning image of a female primate, is a rare example of an Ibibio free-standing figure, representing a supernatural spirit in animal form.  The style of the face relates closely to Ibibio masks and especially the "deformation" masks, with large concave eye sockets, well-defined eyes and lids, a notched, skull-like triangular nose, and a smiling, toothy, protruding mouth.  The long, separately carved arms are held in front of the body in an animated gesture.  The head of the figure was once covered wth a fiber and hair coiffure attached with nails, remnants of which remain.  The body is covered with mammal hide which when covered with fur (now worn away), gave it a lifelike appearance.  Prominent female sexual attributes suggest that the ritual function may have been associated with fertility and reproduction.  Interestingly, the proper right foot is unnaturally turned backwards, suggesting that this represents a spirit with abilities and attributes beyond the limitations of this world.