The Eiteljorg Gallery of African Art features more than 400 objects. Through masks, figures, textiles and many other types of objects, visitors can see and enjoy a collection that represents all major regions of the continent, including Northern, Eastern, Central, Southern and Western Africa. Maps help visitors locate peoples and their art within Africa's vast geographic and cultural framework, and informational labels and photomurals accompany the objects to explain the religious, social and political contexts of the art. Video kiosks allow visitors to see and hear how objects were made and used.

Many works in the gallery are displayed in the open, rather than in cases or behind glass. This design reflects the wishes of Harrison Eiteljorg, the late Indianapolis industrialist whose 1989 gift of 1,200 works of African art is the foundation of the IMA collection. Eiteljorg knew that African art is a living art—part of the fabric of African life—and he wanted the collection to be as accessible to visitors as possible.

Take a virtual tour of the African gallery.