Musée des Confluences in Lyon unveils major Malian art donation from Sonia and Albert Loeb

The Musée des Confluences in Lyon presents "Au Mali, quand les animaux dansent. Donation Sonia et Albert Loeb," a major exhibition of Malian theatrical masks and puppets from the collection of Sonia and Albert Loeb. Albert Loeb, son of famed gallerist Pierre Loeb, grew up surrounded by African and Oceanic art. He and his wife Sonia began collecting Malian sogo bo theatre pieces in the 1990s, acquiring them from dealers like Pierre Robin in Paris. Their first purchases included puppets and masks from the Ségou region. After the September 11 attacks, an exhibition at their gallery at 12 rue des Beaux-Arts in Paris (December 8, 2001 – January 5, 2002) was a success; collector Francisco Capelo acquired nearly 150 pieces, later donating many to the Museu Nacional de Etnologia in Lisbon. The Loebs conducted field research in Mali, interviewing villagers and documenting rituals. Since 2019, the security situation in Mali has prevented further travel. Their donation to the Musée des Confluences ensures the objects' preservation and public access. The exhibition runs until February 7, 2027.