A version of this story appeared in the Dec 4-17, 2015 print issue under the headline: "A lot more than saintly bones may be tied up in reliquaries".

The Harn Museum's newest exhibit is a journey through both the time and physical space of a culture whose artistic influence often goes unexplored. “Kongo Across the Waters,” which opened ...

The other people say to the Kongo people, 'you are too arrogant. You think that you are the only people that can save the country - why?' And this has created a big problem." ...

Dina Ekanga is a Congolese artist who uses nails to create images on board. She was inspired by the Nkisi Nkondi sculptures of the Kongo people, which often show nails embedded into wooden figures.

Kongo creates here in France, then goes overseas to exhibit and sell. “People are much more reactive in Asia than here. In France, I stay in my atelier,” he says matter-of-factly.

Nkinsi Nkondi project emerged from a trip to Paris, France. During a visit to the Quai Branly Museum, choreographer Byb Bibene discovered a nkisi nkondi statue from the Kongo people of central Africa.