The Associated Press writes about the first show of Matisse’s work in Africa which highlights the connections between the artist and African art. With 80 works on view, many works were loaned by the Matisse Museum, the artist’s heirs as well as items from the Johannesburg Art Gallery and private collections.

Federico Freschi, dean of art at the University of Johannesburg and co-curator of the exhibition says, “He collected many African art objects, particularly masks and figurines from Central and West Africa,”

“Matisse also collected a number of African textiles. He had a particular interest in textiles. So he collected many Kuba cloths, for example, and also various North African fabrics, particularly the sort of cotton appliqué work that is well-known in Africa. And those things find their way into his work in various ways,” he added.

As a result of this being a first for Africa, the exhibition will broad in scope to allow space for learning and engagement.

The exhibition consists of items from the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the Matisse Museum in Nice, the Matisse family and private collections.

Matisse exhibition heads to Africa for the first time  (Traveller24)