A Fiction of Authenticity presents seminal moments for challenging prevailing notions about interculturalism and postcolonial subjects. This full-color catalogue features specially commissioned work by 11 contemporary artists of African descent--each of whom lives and works in either the United States or Europe and examines the invented idea of an “authentic” Africa. Each of these artists has positioned themselves outside the frame of Africa, but each remains connected, and by doing so has created a shift in the way the world considers postmodern and postcolonial art production. The participating artists are Siemon Allen, Fatma Charfi, Godfried Donkor, Mary Evans, Meschac Gaba, Kendell Geers, Moshekwa Langa, Ingrid Mwangi, Odili Donald Odita, Owusu-Ankomah and Zineb Sedira. Also included are seven new essays by some of the most exciting and critical voices working internationally today. A Fiction of Authenticity considers the diasporic positioning of these artists, as well as paradigms of discourse concerned with aesthetics, nationhood, citizenship, community, locality and sense of place.

A Fiction of Authenticity: Contemporary Africa Abroad

Arts & Photography

Tawadros, Gilane

Ha, Paul

Cámara, Ery

Britto Jinorio, Orlando

History & Criticism

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis

<p>From a distance, Yun-Fei Ji's traditional brush paintings hark back to the atmospheric landscapes of the Sung Dynasty painters. Step closer though, and Ji's mists are revealed to be toxic clouds, and his craggy mountains are shown to be piles of overflowing garbage and abandoned vehicles. His misty imagery also includes stylized abstractions that may or may not refer to intestines, explosions or bubbling slime. Using traditional materials (inks, Chinese brushes and handmade mulberry paper) Ji employs age-old methods to illuminate historic and contemporary concerns. This full-color monograph/catalogue includes a new thematic group of six large-scale works made especially for the exhibition. Multi-page gatefolds of these paintings are included.</p>

Yun-Fei Ji: The Empty City

Lin, Tan

Volk, Gregory

Chiu, Melissa

Individual Artists

<p>Michael Lin wouldn't mind if someone stepped on his art: he creates all-encompassing visual floral cornucopias--often on the floor. Long interested in Asian textiles and influenced by Chinese, Japanese and American culture, many of the fabrics appropriated by the artist are designs culled from Taiwanese wedding fabrics. Included here is “The Architect &amp; The Housewife”--Frances Stark's rare essay on public and private space; extensive installation documentation; an illustrated exhibition history; and a complete artist biography.</p>

Michael Lin

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