The Christopher and Genevieve McConnell Collection of African Art www.AfricaAndBeyond.comwww.AfricaAndBeyond.com collect@africaandbeyond.com Phone: 1-858-454-9983 San Diego | California © 2022 Africa And Beyond, LLC Photography by Jonothan Woodward Prices available upon request Click on the photographs to visit the web page for more images and detailed informationForeword by Scott Rodolitz In 1988 I was the director at a New York Gallery called “Graven Images Ltd.” in Soho. It was a different time; the collectors were very knowledgeable, the experts very approachable and the field was frankly a great deal of fun. On a warm day in the spring, a tall man with a beard and moustache and wild eyebrows came in and began to walk around. I had just put up a display of four wonderful Toma masks from the Liberia/ Guinea hinterland on the main wall of the space, that had just been authenticated by the late Dr. Bill Siegmann. The Toma masks immediately captivated his attention with their powerful presence. It was over this connection that I first met Christopher McConnell. Over the next twenty odd years, Christopher and his lovely wife Genevieve would not only become clients, but guests at my wedding, people I could count on in difficult times, in short, people I sincerely called “friends”. Christopher had a unique eye – he immediately was drawn to certain objects that were forceful but not “brutal”, lovely but not “pretty” – he disliked what he called “insipid” pieces and would return or trade them after a very short time. His collection has a common thread that is very nuanced and hard to describe; by measures bold, accomplished and clearly uncaring of prevailing iconic “core styles”. Dr. Leon Siroto, who was a close friend of mine back then once said of Christophers’ collection of figurines, “I covet them!”. It was just a magical quality that they had, and an ability to speak to you if you were quiet enough to let them without prejudging them. This collection comes from a lot of sources; while I sold Christopher many items (and traded others) a great deal of material came from the Leonard Kahan Gallery and others came from such diverse galleries as Helene & Philippe LeLoup African and Primitive Art and Galerie Lippel. Christopher was never impressed with provenance and it wasn’t until recently that I ever realized that his large Bamana figure was from Madame Leloup! I hope that collectors now will appreciate the art in this collection the way Christopher and Genevieve McConnell did – for its beauty, simplicity and communicative qualities – let it speak to you before you start thinking about provenances and prices – the way it used to be almost forty years ago. You may find you enjoy it far more. Scott Rodolitz Scott Rodolitz is a career Art historian and ethnographer for nearly 40 years, he has been a gallery director, researcher and doctoral student at the Russian Academy of Sciences, publisher, and the first Global Director of Bonhams African and Oceanic department in NY, as well as certified appraiser of African, Oceanic and Native American Art. He’s the author of numerous books and articles, many coauthored with Dr. Arthur P. Bourgeois, to whom he was primary research assistant. Presently he’s guest curating and editing Bourgeois’ posthumous work and exhibit on the Yaka and Suku opening Autumn 2022 at the City University of New York Art Gallery at QCC. ANCIENT HEAD TELLEM, MALI Wood Height: 5” Height including base: 8” PROVENANCE Leonard Kahan Gallery, New YorkANCESTRAL FIGURE DOGON, MALI Wood and iron Height: 31 ⅜” Height including base: 31 ⅞”Next >