Object Details
Maker
Paa Joe, born 1945, Ghana
Ga artist
Label Text
Paa Joe is the leading student and successor to Kane Kwei (1922-1992), the artist who developed and popularized "fantasy coffins" in the 1950s. Inspired by chiefs' palanquins, these imaginative works typically take the form of an important aspect of the deceased's life, from a luxury car or a Coca-Cola bottle to a spotted elephant. Today, art galleries and collectors commission fantasy coffins as works of art in their own right.
Description
Wood coffin constructed of planks, carved legs and tusks, painted with commercial paint, brown overall with yellow spots and lined with satin cloth.
Provenance
Kenneth and Bonnie Brown, purchased from artist Paa Joe at his workshop in Teshi-Nungua (outside Accra), Ghana, ca. 1992 to 2010
Exhibition History
African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2010-November 13, 2013
Artful Animals, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., July 1, 2009-July 25, 2010
Published References
Freyer, Bryna. 2009. Artful Animals Activity Guide. Exhibition booklet. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Content Statement
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Credit Line
Gift of Kenneth and Bonnie Brown
Date
Late 20th century
Object number
2010-9-1
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Paa Joe
Type
Sculpture
Medium
Wood, paint
Dimensions
H x W x D: 121.9 x 254 x 86.4cm (48 x 100 x 34in.)
Geography
Ghana
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
Funerary
elephant
Status
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_2010-9-1