February 1, 2007
Harn Museum curator to speak on "African Arts of Healing and Divination"
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Join the Harn Museum of Art’s curator of African art, Susan Cooksey, PhD., in an exploration of Africa’s systems of healing. Her Feb. 25 gallery talk will explore the aesthetic, multi-sensory and complex qualities of objects used in traditional and contemporary healing practices in Africa. The talk begins at 3 p.m.
African Arts of Healing and Divination, on display at the Harn Museum from Feb. 20 to June 24, 2007, explores Africa’s systems of healing. The traditional concept of health in Africa is holistic, encompassing body, mind and spirit. In Africa, many types of specialists may be enlisted to help overcome an affliction, including diviners and healers. African Arts of Healing and Divination explores individual curing techniques and materials that change with the cultural, religious, political and ecological landscapes. This exhibition looks at the viability of ancient systems of healing in Africa today, and the integration of traditional practices with Western medicine.
Cooksey became the Harn Museum’s curator of African art in 2006 after serving two years as the associate curator. She has held various positions at the Harn Museum since 2001 and worked as a curatorial assistant for the University of Iowa’s Museum of Art from 1997-1998. Cooksey holds an M.F.A. from the University of South Florida, a master’s in art history from the University of Florida and a doctorate in art history from the University of Iowa. Cooksey is also board member and editor for the Arts Council of the African Studies Association. In 2006 she curated Highlights from the African Collection, Ceramic Reflections: Ceramic Vessels from the Harn Museum Collection and Resonance and Inspiration: New Works by Magdalene Odundo.
Admission to the Harn Museum of Art is free. For more information about programs and events call 352.392.9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.
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The Harn Museum, at SW 34th St. and Hull Rd., Gainesville, Fla., is one of the southeast’s largest university art museums with more than 6,200 works in its collection and an array of temporary exhibitions. Admission is free. The museum enhances the activities of the University and serves a culturally diverse audience through educational programming. The Harn expanded by more than 18,000 square feet in Oct. 2005 with the opening of the Mary Ann Harn Cofrin Pavilion, which includes new educational and meeting areas and the Camellia Court Cafe, the first eatery for visitors of the University of Florida Cultural Plaza. Museum Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Camellia Court Café is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Museum and Café are open until 10 p.m. Thursdays for Museum Nights. For more information call 352.392.9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.