Pangaea II: New Art From Africa And Latin America

The first part of this show from last year focusing on emerging African and Latin American artists (see here), was one of my favourites of 2014, so I looked forward to seeing this second instalment. I was not disappointed. It was a really strong show. Like last year the curators again opened the show with a stunning installation in the first room. Last year it was Rafael Gomezbarros' spiders, this year it was in the form of 97, 000 blue plastic bags, which comprise a piece entitled Everything Must Go - the work of:-

Jean-Francois Bocle: 

 

It is a comment on human consumerism and waste, and a metaphor for the sea, and the lives lost to the sea during the transatlantic slave trade. Never would have thought plastic bags could have such an impact artistically. I loved both the scale and simplicity of this installation. Other artists/works that impressed me were:- 

Armand Boua:
These are thought provoking graphic paintings using tar and acrylic on cardboard boxes that address themes such as child abduction, politics, ritual sacrifice, sex trafficking and man's inhumanity to man.

Virginia Chihota:
The drawing style and textured surface of Chihots's works reminded me of childrens book illustrations from the 1960s by illustrators like Ezra Jack Keats. 

Alexandre da Cunha:
These straw hats stuck onto coloured canvases were oddly compelling. 

 

I thought these objects were ceramic plant pots at first glance, but on closer inspection they turned out to be painted tyres given a new context, purpose and meaning. Loved the colour combinations.

 

 

Federico Herrero:
Another artist who uses colour really well on a large scale.

 

Diego Mendoza Imbachi:
I loved the huge scale, drawing, and simplicity of these works, as well as the nature/eco theme.

Jorge Mayet:
These sculptural works representing trees and plants were amazing. They look so real but are made from electrical wire, paper, fabrics and acrylics.

Ephrem Solomon:
Blogged about Solomon last year (here). Love his take on linocutting.

Mikhael Subotzky:
I like the way Subotzky composes his photographs. He has a good eye, and real painterly sensibilities in terms of composition. They remind me of paintings by J-F Millet, like -The Gleaners (1857).

Subotzky's photograph below reminded me of Gustave Caillebotte's - The Floorscrapers (1875), one of my favourite paintings.

Most powerful was this beautiful little girl with those awful words scrawled across her forehead. What were her parents thinking?
 

Rafael Gomezbarros:
Great to see the return of these amazing eerie skull-spiders.

Pangaea II: New Art From Africa and Latin America 
until 6th September 2015
Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York's HQ
King's Road
London