Senegal: the exhibition "Picasso in Dakar" sheds light on the artist's links with Africa
The Picasso exhibition in Dakar is being held at the Museum of Black Civilizations until June 30, 2022. © Charlotte Idrac/RFI
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1 min
In Senegal, the
Picasso in Dakar, 1972-2022
exhibition opened its doors this Friday at the Museum of Black Civilizations, to the delight of the first visitors.
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With our correspondent in Dakar,
Charlotte Idrac
The Spanish master – who has never traveled to the continent – was deeply marked by African art, in its cubist phase.
The exhibition creates a “dialogue” between Picasso's works and African works: masks or cult objects.
Fifty years after a first presentation of Picasso's work in the Senegalese capital, this exhibition is aimed in particular at young people, with educational booklets or workshops organized in schools.
In the exhibition hall, a group of students take selfies.
Amina only knew Picasso by name.
“
I didn't really know, I didn't have an idea in mind, but now I realize that people were right because it's something brilliant
,” she enthuses.
In a photo of Picasso, the artist is in a studio, surrounded by his paintings and two African statues.
What surprises much Awa Dia, 27 years old.
“
It impresses me, because he was inspired by these works of art on Africa.
This surprises me because I never thought he was interested in African culture,
explains the young woman.
It's my first time here and I'm very happy
”.
► To read also: Between Picasso and Africa, a mutual inspiration
This exhibition in Dakar is also a source of pride for Précieux, also a student.
“
It's rare that we can have these beautiful works in Africa.
We already know that Africa is the cradle of humanity and bringing in the works of these great artists boosts us even more
”.
The Picasso
exhibition in Dakar
is being held until June 30 at the Museum of Black Civilizations.
It's very powerful, it's very fruitful and there was probably this dialogue and this permanent encounter between Senghor and Picasso.
Professor Hamady Bocoum, director of the Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar
Charlotte Idrac
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