Yoruba and Bacon , Sep 03

by Deborah Alexander

Yoruba and Bacon by Deborah Alexander
Two for the price of one, or BOGOF (buy one, get one free) as it is less elegantly put, is a slogan we are used to seeing in British supermarkets, but in St Cyprien village it is somewhat different. Here, entrance to the Modern Art Gallery (Collection d’Art Contemporain) not only enables you to see the exhibition there, but also allows you entrance to the Collection Desnoyer a short walk away. And there’s more! It also includes entrance to the Jardin des Plantes Les Capellans, situated at the Grand Stade, where you can find an exhibition of huge sculptures formed from Castelnou marble.
The Modern Art Gallery currently features a private collection of over forty Francis Bacon prints. Prints can sometimes be seen as the poor relation, but it should be remembered that they not only represent the original, they can be modified to present the work in a different light, or, as in the case of Bacon, who destroyed much of his early work, they can be the only remaining representation of the work.
Bacon’s story was not a happy one. Beaten by his father, and eventually thrown out of the house for wearing his mother’s clothes, much of Bacon’s work reflects the turmoil of his personal life as well as the cruelty and violence in the world around him. Yet there is clearly something about his paintings that connects to the dark side of many of us, as his work has become more and more popular. His ‘Triptych’ (1976) recently sold at Sotheby’s for over £40 million.
The short trip to the sister gallery in Rue Emile Zola takes us to another continent and another culture….the Yoruba of Benin. A video on the top floor, with English commentary available on headphones, gives us an insight into the importance of ritual and religion in the lives of these African people. Seeing the film first will set into perspective the exhibits, mainly ceremonial artefacts, so go straight upstairs!
Masks feature strongly, and being displayed beneath spotlights in a darkened gallery only adds to their air of mystery and spirituality. Each requires close inspection to fully note the detail, often involving animals and human figures, carved into them. The full-length costumes (again, see the film to appreciate their use) are particularly fascinating.
Practical information:
The main St Cyprien gallery (Collection d’Art Contemporain) is in the village….the wisteria-covered entrance clearly visible from the Place Republique. The Collection Desnoyer is in the Rue Emile Zola.
Opening hours: Galleries- 10 am to 12 noon, 2 pm to 6 pm. Closed Tuesdays.
Gardens 2 pm to 5 pm. Closed Mondays.
Entrance: 6€ Reduced entrance (students): 3€ Children under 12 free admission
Francis Bacon exhibition finishes 21st September 2008
Yoruba exhibition finishes 26th October 2008
For more information call 04 68 21 06 96 or see website www.collectionsdesaintcyprien.com

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