On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the French Institute in Hamburg, Melbye-Konan Gallery is presenting three paintings by young artists from Hamburg and the Ivory Coast as part of its current exhibition HERITAGE. The Hamburg gallery represents African artists as well as artists from all over the world with a connection to Africa. The exhibition, which can be seen at the gallery on Jungfernstieg until July 14th 2021, shows paintings by the first generation of Ivorian artists as well as current works by the younger generation that deal with the theme of cultural heritage.
The three works exhibited at the institute deal with different aspects of the historical and cultural relations between Africa and Europe, and question the representations of Africa in the Western imagination. The Ivorian artist Yéanzi deals with the theme of identity and the significance of colonisation for identity formation. Yannick Ackah draws inspiration from African sculptures and masks and refers to their role in Picasso's work. Belén (Anna-Belén Meyer), a Hamburg native, refers in her works to the city's close ties with the African continent through its trading and port activities.
This cooperation between the French Institute in Hamburg and Melbye-Konan Gallery establishes a link to the Africa2020 season currently taking place throughout France. Initiated by President Macron, this is a pan-African and multidisciplinary project focusing on innovation in the arts, science, entrepreneurship and business, inviting people to look at and understand the world from an African perspective.
An exhibition by Stella Melbye-Konan, Curatorial assistance by Maja Hollmann
