Good looks: Member Preview: The Language of Good looks in African Artwork

Enjoy a full day of member-only access to The Language of Beauty in African Art and see the exhibition before it opens to the public.

Bringing together over 250 masks, figures, and other objects, this exhibition explores indigenous aesthetic concepts of beauty and ugliness as they are applied to the tradition-based arts of different African cultures. In doing so, it contextualizes local expressions and appreciations of what the makers and audiences of the varied works on view consider aesthetically pleasing or disagreeable, and invites us to reevaluate the arts of the African continent from the perspectives of the communities and individuals who created and used it.

Simply show your member card or digital member card to enter.

See more member programs.

In accordance with state and City of Chicago guidelines, visitors to the museum are no longer required to wear masks or provide proof of vaccination. Anyone who would like to continue to wear a mask is welcome to do so. Learn more about our visiting policies and what to expect.

We care deeply about the well-being and safety of our guests and staff. If you feel unwell, are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, or have reason to believe you’ve been exposed to Covid in the last week, we ask that you please stay home.  An inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 exists in any public place where people are present. For your own and others’ safety, we ask you to follow the advice of the CDC. If you feel at risk, please wear a mask. Even with everyone taking precautions, those visiting the museum or attending a museum event (on or off-campus) do so at their own risk to Covid exposure. Please take good care.

If you have any questions about programming, please reach out to [email protected].