Au-delà des apparences - Parcours amoureux de l'art moderne et contemporain d'Afrique

Description

A unique perspective on modern and contemporary African art, from 1929 to the present day. An exploration of the CBH Art Collection.

The Swiss family-owned banking group CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA has been building its own art collection for over fifteen years. Modern and contemporary African art is one of its main focuses. The works brought together in this catalogue (paintings, sculptures, photographs) span nearly a century (1929-2025).

All were created by artists born in or who spent part of their lives in sub-Saharan Africa. The growing success of today's African artists is undoubtedly rooted in their ancestral heritage, reflecting a deeply original worldview through vibrant colors, while also expressing strong social and ecological engagement.

In the 1920s, artists began to be identified by missionaries and a few colonial administrators sensitive to art. From the Congo, Kenya, and South Africa, African art gradually emerged and developed throughout the 20th century. Recognition came in the 1960s with the creation of art schools in major cities across the continent. These institutions encouraged cultural reappropriation through new forms of expression, blending enduring African traditions with modern aesthetics shaped in rapidly growing urban environments.

At the turn of the millennium, influenced by spontaneous artistic movements, this creative vitality continued to grow. Strong artistic voices began to assert themselves on the global stage. Contemporary artists increasingly turned their attention to the Black Atlantic and Afro-American communities. Africa now expresses its own perspective on the world.

This catalogue offers a broad overview of modern and contemporary African art over nearly a century (1929-2025), while providing valuable historical insight. It highlights the pivotal role of art schools in the 1960s, which fostered cultural reappropriation and the emergence of new artistic forms combining tradition and modernity. It also presents a wide range of artistic expressions, including painting, sculpture, and photography, offering a rich and diverse vision of African creativity. Finally, the catalogue accompanies an exhibition at the prestigious Musée Rath, enhancing its significance and creating a tangible link with a selection of artworks.