In Black and White: Prints from Africa and the Diaspora

Small exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum of prints from African over the last 40 years.

The show pointed out that print is a very democratic medium and is often used for protest works as they are a cheap way of spreading a message. For that reason these works are very linked to time and place.

There were a number of Chris Ofili works including some intricate etching made in one sitting which represent different places in Barcelona where they were made and a print called “RIP Stephen Lawrence” made to raise money for the campaign.

I loved an image by Willie Cole of an iron from above. It was a striking picture called “Loyal and Dependable” which described the iron but also referred back to descriptions in slave auction catalogues. I also liked Tony Phililip’s “History of the Benin Bronzes” which showed the bronzes being bought, auctioned and displayed in museums (captivity) again a reference back to slavery.

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