African Initiative Interview

Pablo Picasso was a man who had never been to Africa, but who was inspired by its culture. The simplicity of the shapes of sacred objects used in magical rites, which the artist encountered at an exhibition at the Palais du Trocadéro in Paris in 1907, opened up Picasso's "African period" to the world. Later, his fascination with African art led the artist to form a new direction in painting: Cubism.

Today's artists from the continent continue Picasso's tradition through a contemporary movement, Afro-Cubism.

"The African Initiative" spoke with a representative of this new direction, John Larrys Wendpanga Cabre. The correspondent met with him in Senegal, where the artist is preparing for an exhibition.

"I have been fascinated by Cubism since 2003. After my studies, which ended in 2022, I started working professionally in this style. Cubism is characterized by geometric shapes through which artistic images are constructed. In the case of Afro-Cubism, it is the art of Black Africa, which today continues and develops Cubism," said Cabret.

Last year, the artist participated in Art Session 2023 in St. Petersburg.

"Regarding my visit to Russia, the relations between our two countries are developing at a steady pace today. This is how the political situation has evolved. I consider my role to be preserving the fraternal relations between our peoples. I was the only representative of Burkina Faso at the Art Session, and it was important for me to show the image of my country to the Russians. I managed to communicate with many people and I continue to maintain relationships with many of them. Today, I must also send a big greeting and words of respect to the Minister of Culture of Burkina Faso, who allowed me and other talented young people to open Burkina Faso to Russia," said the artist.