Galembo exhibits sensual summer line of priests & priestesses

04 Jul '08

4 min read

Upon arriving in each country, Galembo meets a translator and negotiator who accompanies her to different locations. He introduces her to village elders in each community who in turn provide permissions and help coordinate times when masqueraders can be photographed. The urge to dress up in costumes, whether for celebration or ceremony, is a phenomenon that crosses cultures and frees the human spirit in ways that intrigue Galembo.

Complementing the photographs on view, throughout the gallery will be African artifacts, including masks and sculptures. West African Masquerade is part of a three-exhibition series titled "Africas," which focuses on sub-Saharan Africa, on view at Eastman House this summer.

West African Masquerade is generously funded by HCR, Rotenberg & Company, Bergmann Associates, and Bruce Bates.

As a child, Phyllis Galembo enjoyed dressing up for Halloween and Purim, fascinated by "how masquerade becomes magical." She earned a master of fine arts degree in photography and printmaking from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1977, and has taught photography at the University at Albany since 1978. Her numerous books include Vodou: Visions and Voices of Haiti (1998) and Divine Inspiration from Benin to Bahia (1993).

George Eastman House

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