Extravagant forms of iron accouterments, held as dance staffs or worn as adornment, have been used by communities in coming-of-age ceremonies and to mark the transition from adulthood to death (and ancestor status). Fowler Museum director and exhibition co-curator Marla C. Berns links these transformative events to the blacksmith’s processes, looking at an array of forged works from West and Central Africa on view in Striking Iron.

#CultureFix is a short-format series of gallery talks featuring artists, curators, and other luminaries. No reservation required. All talks are free of charge. Parking available in UCLA Lot 4, 398 Westwood Plaza, directly off Sunset Blvd | $12/day
Rideshare drop-off 305 Royce Drive. About the Exhibition
Striking Iron is a major international traveling exhibition that reveals the history of invention and technical sophistication that led African blacksmiths to transform one of Earth’s most basic natural resources into objects of life-changing utility, empowerment, and astonishing artistry.