From Africa to the Americas: Face-to-face Picasso, Past and Present already seen by 100,000 people
Presented at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA), the exhibition From Africa to the Americas: Face-to-face Picasso, Past and Present has already been enjoyed by more than 100,000 visitors since it opened on May 12. This is a resounding success for the major exhibition, which offers a new perspective and inspires a rereading of art history.
With more than 300 works and documents, From Africa to the Americas: Face-to-face Picasso, Past and Present looks at the transformation in our view of the arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas from the end of the 19th century to the present day. Following milestones in the life of Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) and in history, the exhibition explores the close relationship between the Spanish master and these arts, focusing on the history of attitudes. The MMFA has enhanced the exhibition with works by leading artists from the contemporary art scene – mainly African or of African descent. Adapted by the MMFA, the exhibition, which was developed by the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, in partnership with the Musée national Picasso-Paris, will be on display until September 16, 2018.
Presented as a complement, Here We Are Here: Black Canadian Contemporary Art invites visitors to reflect on cultural diversity. Initiated by the ROM in Toronto and adapted by the MMFA, this exhibition challenges preconceived notions of Blackness in Canada through the work of 11 contemporary artists:Sandra Brewster, Sylvia D. Hamilton, Chantal Gibson, Bushra Junaid, Charmaine Lurch, Esmaa Mohamoud, Michèle Pearson Clarke and Gordon Shadrach, as well as Montrealers Eddy Firmin a.k.a. Ano, Manuel Mathieu and Shanna Strauss.
