Sunday, February 07, 2010

Revolution on Paper exhibition


The British Museum has an exhibition of Mexican prints 1910-1960, Revolution on Paper, on at the moment till 5th April. I have only just managed to get there recently.
The exhibition focuses on the socialist revolutionary prints by artists from the Taller del Grafica Popular, the national print workshop, Rivera's famous cover image Emiliano Zapata and his horse, and work by david Alfaro Siqueiros.

One of Siqueiros lithographs, Latin America was a masterful work using the iconography of Christ on the cross. The figure slumped against a powerful tree/cross was depicted with a variety of marks and tones, suggesting anguish, energy and sensitivity.

One of Rivera's works was lovely lithograph of his wife Nude with beads (Frida Kahlo) there was a delicate touch and intimacy in his portrait, all the more contrasted with the revolutionary work on show.There were many depictions of Mexico's hero Zapata complete with his iconic moustache and again a contrast with the colourful lithographs illustrating the creation by Carlos Merida, whose stylised birds I particularly liked.