Exhibition: Beninese Roméo Mivekannon reproduces colonial postcards
Audio 01:29
An early 20th century postcard from Senegal (Illustrative image).
© Wikimedia Commons CC0 François-Edmond Fortier
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
The Beninese artist Roméo Mivekannon presents his first exhibition in Senegal until June 5 in the Cécile Fakhoury gallery in Dakar.
An exhibition called
Hosties blacks
which is attached to the figure of Senegalese skirmishers, in fact coming from several African countries.
Her works are inspired by documents from colonial archives - postcards that depicted skirmishers' wives in the chores of daily life.
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Figures on a human scale are painted on large sheets tinted brown.
Roméo Mivekannin
reproduced the postcards sent by French soldiers to their families during the First World War, while they waited on the front in northern Morocco in the company of Senegalese infantrymen.
Archives that he has reclaimed.
Because the artist introduced his self-portrait on the bodies of women and children.
“
This face looks at us from the side, from above,”
comments gallery owner Delphine Lopez.
There is really the idea of returning our own gaze.
What image are we looking at and what does this image tell us, 19th century visitors?
"
Readings of postcards written by French soldiers
Sound installations allow you to hear the texts of these postcards, written by French soldiers: "
It's the idea of making these words heard, which are very harsh words, but which are always quite ambiguous,"
continues Delphine Lopez.
.
It was very important for Romeo to have actresses who interpret these words of man and also actors of African origin, who also come to interpret and take hold of this story
”
Khady Niane, a fine arts student, came to discover this Beninese artist: “
In the Senegalese program, we are taught colonial history.
It's not written by us, so there's no feeling in it yet.
I think it's up to everyone to appropriate their culture.
"
Two other artists will exhibit on the history of Senegalese riflemen in the Manège gallery from May 22.
► To read also: The colonial history of Congo told and sung by "Congo Jazz Band"
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