January 31, 2006
By JoNews Reporter
SIXTY works by Pablo Picasso are headed for Joburg in February in an exhibition called Picasso and Africa. The exhibition explores the influence of African art on his work.
The exhibition, sponsored by Standard Bank, the French embassy and the French Institute, will be on from 10 February to 25 March at the Standard Bank Gallery in downtown Johannesburg.
The work on exhibition – from paintings and drawings to sculptures – dates from 1906 to 1972. Alongside will be a range of African sculptures, showing how such examples would have influenced his art.
The artworks are from Picasso's private collection as well as from the Picasso Museum in Paris.
"Picasso and Africa will provide a detailed look at the influence of African art on Picasso's career and the important role it played in the evolution of European modernism in general", says Marilyn Martin, the director of art collections at the Iziko South African National Gallery.
"Picasso always relied on different cultural traditions which he combined in his unique work. His is a good example of the benefits of cultural diversity that France and South Africa are promoting together," says French ambassador Jean Felix-Paganon.
One of Picasso's major works Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, the radical piece that sparked cubism, was influenced by African art, particularly the masks he saw at an exhibition in Paris in 1907. And cubism influenced the direction of art in the 20th century.
Part of the exhibition will be a book in which South African artists, including poets Wally Serote and Peter Clark, discuss Picasso's fascination with African art. It will also feature an anthology of what Picasso had to say about African art.
In addition, art education specialists are developing an extensive workshop and educational programme, including a published resource for art educators and learners. The programme will also cater for learners with special needs.
The Standard Bank Gallery is on the corner of Simmonds and Frederick streets, in the CBD. Gallery hours are from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm. For more information call 011 631 1889.
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