John Biggers (1924-2001)Homage to Gelede signed 'J.Biggers' (lower right)conté crayon, pastel and pencil on paperimage, 41 x 27 3/4in; sheet, 42 x 29in注脚ProvenancePrivate collection, Houston, Texas.Acquired by the present owner from the above, 2000.John Biggers traveled several times to Africa where he found significant inspiration for his work in African cultural traditions, including from West African societies he observed that had a matriarchal history and placed emphasis on female ancestry. In 1957, Biggers became one of the first African American artists to visit the continent through a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) fellowship when he spent several months travelling with his wife through Ghana, Benin, Nigeria and Togo. He returned to Africa three more times through the 1980s.Stemming from the Yoruba ethnic group in Western Africa, Gelede is a celebration of female ancestors, including the mothers and female elders in a community. Ceremonies honoring Gelede include ornate headdresses and masks, which Biggers depicts in the present work. In large festivals, there are typically masked dancers, music, and drumming. In addition to honoring the dead, it is believed that these ceremonies can enlist the supernatural help of women ancestors intimes of need including during wartime, to enrich fertility or encourage rain, or to rid societies of plagues.