The GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde zu Leipzig possesses a rich collection of modern art from East Africa. The special exhibition shows a representative selection of contemporary art from the museum’s holdings: Tingatinga painting, Makonde carvings as well as sculptures, paintings and graphic art from renowned and internationally celebrated artists such as Mankeu or Malangatana.
Created in the 1960s, Tingatinga painting is one of the most important East African art trends. Major topics of the paintings that usually measure 60 x 60 cm are next to animals, especially big game and birds, scenes of everyday life, religious topics, magic and spiritual actions as well as ghosts and demons. Paintings with sensual, even frivolous, content should not be forgotten.
The exhibition will be complemented by an experimental presentation of the Leipzig artist Maix Mayer. In his work “African Tales”, he shows new approaches from our point of view towards Africa. He also allows African artists to interpret European conditions. Maix Mayer participated in exhibitions by Galerie EIGEN + ART Berlin and Leipzig, by Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Buch- und Schriftmuseum Leipzig as well as by Archiv Massiv Spinnerei Leipzig.
im GRASSI Museum Leipzig
im Völkerkundemuseum Herrnhut
