PARIS.- The tribal arts are fascinating because of the way they tell a story that can often only be grasped in its outline and that reveals only part of its secrets. This appetite for tribal art, which is widespread in Europe and the USA, is developing throughout the whole world.

Whether it be colonial history, the taste of the surrealists for ethnic mysteries, or else the borrowings of art nouveau from the tribal repertory, the fact remains that art lovers are naturally drawn to this art of origins. Undeniably, Paris is currently seen as the capital of tribal arts, as shown by the great number of internationally known Parisian galleries and the regular success of the Parcours des Mondes in September, for which Paris Tribal now seeks to play a complementary role.

Strengthened by this situation, and aware of the arrival on the market of a generation of collectors who are passionate about contemporary art but seeking to get initiated in tribal arts, Parisian art dealers have decided to create a new springtime event to demonstrate their ability to stimulate and develop this market, while affirming the dominant position of Paris and meeting the growing demand of collectors.

Here, there is no imposed model, nor uniform presentation but, on the contrary, a free stroll from one gallery to another, where each art dealer can reveal their identity, their choices, and their vision of their own speciality.

Through exhibitions based around themes, and with exceptional pieces, Paris Tribal is to uncover its treasures within a broad, transversal view of tribal arts: Arts from Africa, America, Asia, Indonesia and Oceania, among others.

Paris Tribal : Overview

AETHIOPIA /23, rue Guénégaud, Paris 6e
The Aethiopia gallery is to present, on the occasion of Paris Tribal, a collection of arms and shields from sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and Asia as well as, by way of counterpoint, some objects from more classical cultures.

Arms, shields, and spears, chosen for their aesthetic quality, are to be shown alongside hast weapons and armour. Objects of both attack and defence combat, these have nonetheless never lost their beauty and elegance.

GALERIE BACQUART /27, rue de Seine, Paris 6e
Exhibition of Profane and Sacred Receptacles from 3 to 18 April 2014
Whether everyday object or sign of wealth, these receptacles above all bear witness to the creative genius that is shown across various registers of form, material, and usage. Boxes, snuff boxes, bowls, vases: all these abstract and figurative objects show know-how, customs, and habits that give us access to other cultures, other conceptions of the world.

GALERIE ALAIN BOVIS /9, rue des Beaux-Arts, Paris 6e
Exhibition Masks of the World from 3 to 26 April 2014
The Alain Bovis gallery will present in its new space, 9 rue des Beaux-Arts, a selection of masks coming mainly from Africa and Asia. Collectors will also be able to discover Chinese and Latin American masks. A beautiful selection, rich in colours, for all art lovers. Congo, Gabon, Nigeria and Nepal will particularly be in place of honour.

GALERIE ALAIN LECOMTE / 21, rue Guénégaud, Paris 6e
Exhibition of Finery from Africa, from 3 to 30 April 2014
The gallery is to present an exhibition on the theme of finery, including a set of 19th century African bracelets coming from the collection of Raoul Lehuard, former director of the review Arts d'Afrique Noire, well-known among researchers and other specialists of Africa.

GALERIE ANTHONY JP MEYER / 17, rue des Beaux-Arts, Paris 6e
Exhibition: USEFUL & PLEASANT, The Functional, but Beautiful Object from 3 to 6 April 2014
A collection of objects that are functional, useful, everyday, ethnographic, practical, necessary and of exceptional production quality – of pure, well thought out line, made shiny by long and respectful use. These objects come from all regions of the Pacific, including the Polar Far North. Stools, tapa (bark cloth) hammers, clubs, adzes, hooks, spears, bowls, carrying bars, axes, shields, etc.

GALERIE NOIR D’IVOIRE /19 Rue Mazarine, Paris 6e
Exhibition of Voodoo Charms and Sculptures from 3 April to 15 May 2014
The Noir d’Ivoire gallery is to revisit a subject that it holds dear. Twenty years ago, Yasmina Chenoufi already dedicated an exhibition to voodoo, foreseeing the public’s strong interest in this topic. This interest came to be illustrated in 2011 by the exhibition of the Cartier Foundation presenting the Jacques Kerchache collection.