Magazines - Tribal Art Spring 2011

By Jonathan Fogel, Editor in Chief of Tribal Art magazine.

Introduction
James Ross is a name familiar in the tribal art world as a New Yorker who has amassed one of the finest privately held collections of traditional African art in the Western Hemisphere, if not the world. Most dealers have encountered him at one time or another and if you’ve seen a themed museum show in the U.S. in recent years, you’ve probably seen some of his objects. They’ll have been among the most exquisite ones. Ross’ collection started with no particular intent or focus. New York artist Chaim Gross had been a friend of his parents and Ross was familiar with his important collection of African art that was installed in his studio. He heard that there was a gallery specializing in this artwork and he and his wife Laura paid it a visit in the mid 1970s. It was Aaron Furman’s gallery on 80th Street just off Madison. They met Jo Furman (Aaron’s wife) there and she showed them some material. Four African sculptures caught his eye and, after some back and forth with Laura regarding which piece to buy, he said, “Screw it, let’s get all four,” much to Laura’s chagrin (which remains patiently ongoing—her passion is politics). He still has all four (a Yoruba maternity figure, a Teke figure, an Asanti akua’ba, and a Fanti doll).