Thursday, September 2nd, 2021
Art by African / Diaspora Women at Saint-Denis Museum
Cover Image: Three photos from Les Chemins de Yemoja - an installation by Laeïla Adjovi
© Entrée to Black Paris
AfricaSeason 2020 will culminate with the Un.e Air.e de Famille exhibition at the Musée d'art & d'histoire Paul Eluard in Saint-Denis. This show, which features the work of several African and African diaspora women artists, will be on display through November 8, 2021.
Un.e Air.e de Famille juxtaposes the exploration of the push by French and other surrealists against colonization with contemporary artworks created by fourteen African and African diaspora women that explore themes of (forced) migration, cultural memory, and women's empowerment:
les soeurs Chevalme (Delphine and Elodie)*
Much of the exhibition consists photos, journals, books, and illustrations that speak to the anti-colonialist movement spearheaded by surrealists such as Paul Eluard, André Breton, and Jacques Viot.
Les Arts Sauvages Afrique by Paul Eluard
© Entrée to Black Paris
Surrealism at the service of the revolution
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Not surprisingly, the curator included images of Josephine Baker, who was nominated as "Queen of the Colonies" for the 1931 Colonial Exhibition that the surrealists so vehemently opposed.
Joséphine Baker - 1927 Lithograph on paper by Paul Colin
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Josephine Baker postcards and info cards
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But my primary interest centered on the fine art created by the women listed above.
The exhibition is displayed in three distinct spaces, two of which are in the former Carmelite cloister that houses the museum. I especially liked the works shown in the Salles du Chapitre.
Salles du Chapitre
© Entrée to Black Paris
They included a series black and white photos by Eliane Aïsso that represent Beninese mortuary rites
Ati Okuku dé imonlé (2019) by Eliane Aïsso
© Entrée to Black Paris
and color photos from an multidisciplinary installation by Laeïla Adjovi that spotlights the celebration on both sides of the Atlantic of rituals tied to the West African divinity named Yemoja.
Ati Okuku dé imonlé (2019) by Eliane Aïsso
© Entrée to Black Paris
The third exhibition space is in the chapel.
Chapel at Musée d'Art & d'Histoire Paul Eluard
© Entrée to Black Paris
My favorite works in this space are by Owanto. Her Flowers VII was selected for the promotional flier for the exhibition.
Flowers VII, Lady bird (2018) by Owanto
UV print on aluminum; flowers in cold porcelain
© Entrée to Black Paris
Flowers II, La jeune fille à la fleur (2019) by Owanto
UV print on aluminum; flowers in cold porcelain
© Entrée to Black Paris
To get from Paris to the museum by metro, take Line 13 to Porte de Saint-Denis and use Sortie 3 to exit the station. It should take no more than three minutes to walk to the museum. The city has placed markings on the ground to show you the way.
Ground markings
© Entrée to Black Paris
Musée d'art & d'histoire Paul Eluard
22 bis, rue Gabriel Péri
93200 Saint-Denis
Website: https://musee-saint-denis.com
Hours:
Monday - Wednesday - Friday 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday 10 AM - 8 PM
Saturday - Sunday 2 PM - 6:30 PM
*I have not been able to ascertain whether the Chevalme sisters are of African descent.
Our Walk: Black History in and around the Luxembourg Garden - Click here to book!