Since its creation in 1996 Musa Heritage Gallery (shortened Mus’Art), named in memory of Nso’ carvers Daniel Kanjo Musa and his elder son John Yuniwo Musa, has been active in propagating the Nso’ cultural heritage.
This cultural initiative by the Musa family opened her doors to the public on 18th December, 1996. Mus’Art Gallery has a collection of over 400 objects, most of which were created between 1970 and 2000. These varied and diverse objects range from Bamboo work to Wood Carvings, Basketry to Pottery. The museum continues to acquire contemporary Cameroonian arts and crafts while maintaining a major focus on the Western Grass-fields region.
Mus’Art Gallery was created in part as to preserve in response to the loss of these precious objects, so the Art of the past is not lost to the region. Its mission is to support the arts and crafts of the Western Grass-fields and to highlight the excellence and diversity of regional artists, past and present, so these may become known nationally and internationally.
The art of Nso’ traditional wood sculpturing is fast disappearing. Most Nso’ renown carvers have died. Youngsters are unwilling to learn the art. Mus’Art Gallery is interested in a rebirth of Nso’traditional wood sculpturing as well as other traditional art forms such as weaving, basketry, bamboo work, knitting of traditional caps and other gadgets with raffia leaves or straw. In fact the arts and crafts industry in Nso’ if revamped can create a lot of jobs for young boys and girls, contribute to economic growth and fight unemployment.
The Mus’Art Gallery in Kumbo, Cameroun, is seeking to twin with a museum, gallery or other arts institution abroad, in order to open the door to new ideas, collaboration and joint programmes that will allow both partners to evolve.
Interested museums or art-based organisations may contact Peter Musa, Mus’Art Director. Email: administration@musartgallery.org
Phone: +237 7937 2652
Address: Bamfem Qtr, P.O Box 21, Kumbo, North West region, Cameroun.
For more information about the museum, please visit http://musartgallery.blogspot.fr/
