Why do people create portraits? From earliest times to the present day, portraits of many different kinds have captured the human form. Whether formal, religious, historical, imaginative, or political, each and every portrait carries meanings intended by the artist, and those assigned to them by viewers. Even choosing not to show the human figure in a portrait has meaning. Exploring through various perspectives the question of why we create portraits, the exhibition Much Ado about Portraits will display a range of works from all areas of the Harn’s collection, as well as pieces on loan from private collections.

Attention North Central Florida High School Art Students: Be a part of our Virtual Exhibition and submit a portrait to be displayed electronically in the exhibition. Learn more.

KONGO across the WATERS will explore connections between the art and culture of the Kongo peoples of western Central Africa and African American art and culture in the United States.
The exhibition will address cultural and artistic themes within Kongo culture, beginning with the ancient Kongo kingdom that encompassed parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Republic of the Congo and Gabon. Themes will include the arts of leadership, religion, and daily life interpreted within historical, archaeological, linguistic, musicological, anthropological and art historical contexts.

Opening in October, 2013 Kongo across the Waters will celebrate Kongo influenced cultural traditions primarily in the southeastern United States, including Florida, and will commemorate 500 years since the first African conquistador, Juan Garrido, came to the Americas. The exhibition coincides with the Viva Florida celebration of 500 years of Florida’s cultural heritage.

KONGO across the WATERS is a collaborative project by the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida and the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium.