African art and the Center Pompidou come to Saint-Épain

What do the Center Pompidou, a collection of artists from all over the world, and the town of Saint-Épain have in common? The exhibition Africans Everywherewhich is part of the Ar(t]chipel festival and which highlights African art, has in fact taken up residence in the small town of Indre-et-Loire, in the museum of the old presbytery, in the church, in the wooden theater, but also in the stables of Montgoger castle.

The collection on display, as well as the castle, were acquired by Rodolphe Blavy, economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who grew up until the age of 17 in Senegal and Ivory Coast. An art collector for ten years, he inaugurated this exhibition “which combines my love of art and my love of Africa”he indicates. Thus, if the collections can be quite private, Rodolphe Blavy has decided to open it to the public, from October 18 to 20, from October 25 to 27 and from October 1^is to November 3, 2024.

A collection of “engaged” African artists

But among the artists, we do not only find citizens of countries on the continent since certain works were created by Americans, French or even Brazilians. “For me, African art comes from African artists, but also from the diaspora, which has African roots”indicates the collector.

The economist claims a “militant collection. Looking back, I see that the commitment of artists represents a common thread of these acquisitions. The Scoutby Atsoupé, thus represents a woman who holds the sun and who leads her people forward. » The other common thread of the exhibition is “the question of portraiture and the reappropriation of self-representation. It is a particular speech, which concerns us personally, but also universal. »

In total, around forty works are exhibited in Saint-Épain. Canvases, but also sculptures, tapestries and even photos. Among these works, we find The Loverswhich is part of a series of paintings by Parisian artist Rachel Marsil, who traveled for the opening.

“I created this painting in 2023 for the Investec art fair in Cape Town, South Africashe explains. I was inspired by Lunch on the grass by Manet, with scenes of family or couple life outdoors. There is always a question of connection with others and Afro-descendant representation. »

The exhibition of his work to the general public therefore makes him “very pleasure, because my work is mainly shown in African territories and as an artist, I do not always have the opportunity to see my work alongside that of other artists that I admire. It is also an opportunity to do mediation work, to be able to give explanations to people who wish it and to make the visit more human. »