An African Night with Picasso , 9th March 2006, (covers by Anton Kannemeyer)

An African Night with Picasso, Drill Hall , Johannesburg, 9th March 2006, small booklet, issued as part of Standard Banks'  'Picasso in Africa" exhibition, unpaginated, 52 pages, colour photographic images with artist's biographies, covers by Anton Kannemeyer, condition: as new.

Artists are:Wayne Barker, Elu, Karl Gietl, Anna Getaneh, Stephen Gray (author), Nadine Hutton,  Anton Kannemeyer, Fred Koenig, Lara Koseff, John Matshikiza, Napo Masheane, Robyn Orlin, Toni Morkel, Prince Twala, Veronique Tadjo, Themba, Kris, Thokrozani Mthiyane, Workshop Imbali, Rat Western, Marcus Wyatt, Nelisiwe Xaba, Strangelove, Jean-Christiphe Lanquetin, Mama Africa, Jean-Phulippe Ebbelle-Kouoh & Philippe Marinig.

Picasso was significantly inspired by African art, declaring that:

"The masks, they were not sculptures like the others. Not at all. They were magical things intercessors against everything; against unknown, menacing spirits, after seeing an exhibition of African art in 1907. This experience inspired him to repaint the faces of his Les Demoiselles dAvignon, one of the most significant artworks of the 20th century."

His African phase is widely regarded as initiating cubism, the most radical move away from the naturalism that prevailed in European art up until the late 19th century. Although there is an African phase to Picassos output, just prior to Cubism, his flirtation with African art continued throughout his life thus the more than 60 works directly influenced by African art date from 1906 to 1972.

An African Night with Picasso at the Drill Hall featured performers, fashion designers, visual artists, musicians and poets presenting pieces about how they relate to Picasso.

                                                          (I have not been able to locate any mention or any other copy of this booklet)