In a striking homage to the intersection of art and social commentary, Dumile Feni’s evocative piece, *African Guernica* (1967), is now on display at the Reina Sofía museum in Madrid, alongside Picasso’s renowned *Guernica*. This exhibition, entitled *History Doesn’t Repeat Itself, But It Does Rhyme*, seeks to explore the dialogues between diverse cultural narratives and challenge the traditional narratives of art history.
A Historic Placement
Occupying the same space where Picasso’s monumental work was first introduced to the public over three decades ago, *African Guernica* commands attention despite its smaller size. The piece, created with charcoal and pencil, resonates with profound intensity, capturing the brutality of life under apartheid in South Africa. Its unsettling imagery—a three-legged figure wielding a stick, a cow nursing a baby, and birds scavenging among shadowy figures—serves as a visceral response to the systemic violence of the era.
The exhibition, curated by Tamar Garb of University College London, is part of the museum’s initiative to juxtapose art from various cultures with Picasso’s masterpiece. Garb emphasises that this approach not only invites fresh interpretations of *Guernica* but also addresses historical biases in art that have often overlooked African contributions, relegating them to the margins.
Feni’s Artistic Journey
Dumile Feni, who passed away in New York in 1991 after years of exile, was largely self-taught and drew inspiration from a variety of influences, including indigenous African art. His move to Johannesburg at the end of his adolescence exposed him to a vibrant artistic community, even amidst the oppressive backdrop of apartheid. This environment nurtured Feni’s artistic voice, enabling him to blend European modernist influences with African traditional aesthetics.
Garb notes the significance of this synthesis, pointing out that Picasso’s own *Guernica* was deeply influenced by African art. “Picasso’s innovation in stylisation and cubism was significantly informed by his engagement with African sculpture,” she remarks, highlighting the reciprocal nature of artistic influence across cultures.
Contrasting Visions of Violence
While both *Guernica* paintings grapple with themes of violence, Garb is keen to delineate the differing contexts. Picasso’s work is a reaction to the horrors of war, specifically the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. In contrast, Feni’s piece responds to the insidious violence of systemic racism and oppression. “It’s the slow violence of a society that dehumanises the majority of its population,” Garb explains, underscoring the distinct but equally profound impact of each artist’s work.
In addition to *African Guernica*, the exhibit features five other works by Feni, including the expansive scroll *You Wouldn’t Know God if He Spat in Your Eye* and the poignant *Hector Pieterson*, which powerfully captures the moment after the tragic death of a young boy at the hands of apartheid police.
A Unique Artistic Legacy
Despite Feni’s association with the likes of Picasso—who referred to him as “the Goya of the townships”—Garb asserts that Feni occupies a singular position within 20th-century art. His innovative use of drawing materials at a monumental scale was unparalleled at the time. “In the 1960s, few artists globally were working with such epic ambition in drawing,” she states, affirming Feni’s distinct contribution to the artistic canon.
The exhibition not only shines a light on Feni’s legacy but also invites audiences to reconsider how art can be a powerful vehicle for social change and awareness.
Why it Matters
This exhibition is more than an artistic display; it is a vital dialogue that confronts the historical narratives of art through the lens of race and culture. By placing *African Guernica* alongside Picasso’s iconic piece, the Reina Sofía museum highlights the importance of acknowledging diverse voices in art history while challenging established hierarchies. In doing so, it fosters a deeper understanding of how art can illuminate the human condition across differing contexts, urging us to reflect on the ongoing struggles against oppression and injustice worldwide.