Lisa
Aronson is a devoted scholar of African art history, with particular expertise
in the area of textiles. She has done extensive field research in Nigeria
(where she lived for almost two years), Ivory Coast (during four separate
visits), and most recently, Ghana. Her research and writing has focused
mainly on two areas of inquiry, the impact of trade and colonialism on
African textile production and issues of gender in African art. At present,
she is completing her book titled The Weaving of History in Southeastern
Nigeria from 1800 to the Present. She teaches numerous courses on African
art along with courses on Mesoamerican and South American art and the
arts of Native North America. She is a consummate lover and collector
of textiles. From 2000-2002 she served as President of the Textile Society
of America (textilesociety.org), and she continues to be active in that
organization.

Ikoli (crab) masquerade,
Ibani Ijo
people,
Nigeria, West Africa,
photographed in 1978.
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Djula indigo dyer,
village of Famorokaha,
Ivory
Coast, West Africa,
photographed in 1985.
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Maya. Cylindrical Vessel, Ballplayers,
600-800
AD, polychrome on terracotta, Dallas Museum of Art.
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