Surf Avenue, Coney Island
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
We rarely know the names of past African artists, but Ali Amonikoyi is an exception, largely because he was a distinctive artistic innovator. He used metalworking techniques to make objects normally carved in wood and then used these objects in a nontraditional context. Moreover, he produced his works in proximity to colonial officials who observed and recorded his personal and artistic history.
Amonikoyi was a Yoruba born in Nigeria who migrated to Togo. There he used ancient brass-casting techniques to make mask forms resembling Yoruba gelede masks. These masks were placed on top of graves as memorials to the deceased, rather than being worn in dance performances.
Caption
Irving Underhill (American, 1872–1960). Surf Avenue, Coney Island, 1906. Gelatin dry glass plate negative. Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum/Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection, 1996.164.8-B10221. © artist or artist's estate. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Artist
Title
Surf Avenue, Coney Island
Date
1906
Medium
Gelatin dry glass plate negative
Classification
Credit Line
Brooklyn Museum/Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection
Accession Number
1996.164.8-B10221
Rights
© artist or artist's estate
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