Postcolonial Gaze on African Art Examined in Saint-Denis Exhibition
The Musée d'art et d'histoire Paul Eluard in Saint-Denis is hosting the exhibition 'Un.e Air.e de famille,' curated by Anne Yanover and Farah Clémentine Dramani-Issifou, until November 8, 2021. This exhibition explores the impact of colonial propaganda and early 20th-century avant-garde movements on modern African art. As part of the Africa2020 Season, it emphasizes the contributions of surrealists in perpetuating stereotypes and spearheading anti-imperialist movements, notably during the 1925 Rif War protests and the 1931 Colonial Exposition. The display includes historical works by Gavarni and Daumier, alongside contemporary pieces from thirteen African women artists, tackling themes of memory, otherness, and postcolonial discourse. Highlighted works feature Nadia Kaabi-Linke's video 'No' and Owanto's 'Flowers' series.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Un.e Air.e de famille' at Musée d'art et d'histoire Paul Eluard, Saint-Denis, until November 8, 2021.
- Curated by Anne Yanover and Farah Clémentine Dramani-Issifou.
- Part of Africa2020 Season with over 200 events across France.
- Surrealists protested the 1931 Colonial Exposition in Vincennes (8 million visitors) with a counter-exhibition 'La vérité sur les colonies.'
- Thirteen African women artists featured: Laeïla Adjovi, Otobong Nkanga, Yto Barrada, Owanto, Thania Petersen, Euridice Zaituna Kala, and others.
- Nadia Kaabi-Linke's video 'No' shows Tunisians in a visa interrogation responding 'no' in unison.
- Owanto's 'Flowers' series and 'One Thousand Voices' address circumcision ceremonies using archival photos.
- Historical works by Gavarni, Daumier, Jourdain, Effel are in dialogue with contemporary pieces.
Entities
Artists
- Anne Yanover
- Farah Clémentine Dramani-Issifou
- Laeïla Adjovi
- Otobong Nkanga
- Yto Barrada
- Owanto
- Thania Petersen
- Euridice Zaituna Kala
- Nadia Kaabi-Linke
- Paul Eluard
- André Breton
- Yves Tanguy
- Pablo Picasso
- Fernand Léger
- Jean-Paul Sartre
- Gavarni
- Honoré Daumier
- Jourdain
- Jean Effel
- Arianna Piccolo
Institutions
- Musée d'art et d'histoire Paul Eluard
- Africa2020 Season
- Partito Comunista
Locations
- Saint-Denis
- France
- Vincennes
- Benin
- Nigeria
- Belgium
- Morocco
- United States
- Gabon
- South Africa
- Mozambique
- Tunisia