The collection in this room stems from a journey of exploration undertaken by Antonio Manfredi, showcasing works by African artists directly contacted in their places of origin, without the intermediation of galleries or collectors. This journey spanned various regions of Africa, including some of the most remote areas, where artists rarely leave their villages or cities. In line with the philosophy of the CAM, this collection embodies the concept of art free from private economic interventions and Western influences, which often constrain the originality of artistic production. It is a fresh and refined collection that, for the first time, brings together a permanent public collection of works from Africa.
The displayed works captivate with their elegant simplicity, portraying an intense way of life deeply aware of social realities. References to internal conflicts, exploitation, and social challenges vividly emerge in the colorful depictions of reality. Moving away from stereotypical portrayals of linear art, the paintings range from synthetic graphic styles to “fauvist”-inspired expressionism.
Earthy and textural, the humble materials used in some of the works become imaginative representations of distant realities. The collection also pays attention to street art, highlighting those artists who decorate walls and shopfronts in urban settings, honing their technical skills while remaining, albeit tangentially, faithful to a persistent African figurative tradition.
This unique collection features over one hundred African artists, including George Lilanga, Joseph Cartoon, the Congolese school with JP Mika and S.J. Bosco Monsengo, as well as Kenyan artists like Michael W. Soi, Otieno Gomba, and Kivuthi Mbuno.