Art and protest from Senegal

Wooden suitcases symbolize the longstanding relationship between Dakar and Frankfurt. The Weltkulturen Museum in Frankfurt has been accumulating a collection of contemporary African art and is now featuring an exhibition of works by Senegalese artist El Hadji Sy, who was key in bringing modern African artwork to Europe.

Born in 1954 in Senegal, El Hadji Sy still enjoys painting in his atelier in Dakar. Although his works have been on show as far away as South Africa, Brazil and the United States, he has remained faithful to his artistic home. "I would like to participate in the political development of cultural life here in Senegal," he said.

In the early 1980s, El Hadji Sy used to paint with bare feet. "No. 13 Esprit de l'univers" is one of his works from this period, with which he distanced himself from the Western canon. Instead of using an easel, he spread his canvas out on the ground. Strong colors and sharp contrasts characterize his work.

The "Portrait du president" is one of El Hadji Sy's more recent works. Motives like this touch on Senegalese politics, but distance themselves from the government. Despite recognition from former President Abdou Diouf, who gave him a national award in 1999, El Hadji Sy has always supported autonomy for Senegalese artists.

In Frankfrut, El Hadji Sy's portrait of the president can be seen in a new context. The work is juxtaposed with other items from the museum's collection. Placed together with "Le puits" (The fountain), a different scene emerges. Sy has often implemented used objects in his works and is known to paint on butcher paper and rice sacks.

As a member of the Senegalese artist collective Laboratoire AGIT'ART, El Hadji Sy got involved in experimental theater in the mid-1970s. It was a way to show what his country needed, he said, namely political education for the youth and the opportunity to participate in world affairs. Archive photographs like this one are on display at the exhibition.

El Hadji Sy's works seem rather abstract at first glance. But many of them integrate subtle references to the human body and the everyday. The fish trap pictured in the center comes from Papua New Guinea and was added to the museum's collection in 1961. It corresponds to the images and sentiments captured by Sy.

To draw passers-by into his art, El Hadji Sy has placed a number of works in front of the museum. He painted posters for the museum entrance, for example, which are subjected to the elements. But the wear and tear is part of his artistic concept.

The exhibition "El Hadji Sy - Painting, Performance, Politics" highlights the artistic link between Europe and Africa with photos, documentary films and paintings by the Senegalese artist and his contemporaries. It runs though October 18 in the Weltkulturen Museum in Frankfurt. "I hope the cultures will come closer together," said the artist.