![](https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_0834_2.jpg?w=600)
“Living Images” by Manuel Mendive brings a vision of Cuba to N’Namdi Gallery
Saturday, May 17 was the opening for “Living Images,” a short-term retrospective of work by influential Cuban artist Manuel Mendive. A national treasure in his own country, Mendive’s work draws upon traditional Afro-Cuban imagery, and creates a powerful balance of texture, symbolism and palette.
“El equilibrio” (“Balance”).
Several distinct groups are discernible in the works on display, which span the years 2010-2014—triptychs, sculptures, black-and-white figurative paintings, and the powerful “Hacha de doble filo” (“Double Ax”) series, which seems to distill many of the recurring elements in Mendive’s arsenal.
![Untitled #4 from the "Double Ax" series.](https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_0848.jpg)
Untitled #4 from the “Hache de doble filo” (“Double Ax”) series.
![One of Mendive's freestanding sculptural works.](https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_0839.jpg)
One of Mendive’s freestanding sculptural works.
Mendive demonstrates clear mastery of technique, materials and subject, reflective his 50-year career that has rooted him in the bedrock of the fine arts in Cuba. The work on display reveals a shuffling and reshuffling of his core imagery, which is drawn from Afro-Cuban religious tradition, and, in the words of gallery owner George N’Namdi, seeks to, “dismantle deeply ingrained beliefs about the valueless nature of diasporan art.”
![Serie "Porque no me respondes?" ("Why do you not answer?") series.](https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_0836.jpg)
Serie “Porque no me respondes?” #1 (“Why do you not answer?”) series.
The opening was followed by an artist talk with embedded performance on Wednesday, May 21, which featured local dancers that were hand-painted and directed (via translator) by the artist, bringing the imagery very literally to life (you can see an example in the video above, which does not feature Wednesday’s performance).
![Early on at the Saturday night opening.](https://knightfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_0854.jpg)
Early on at the Saturday night opening.
This powerful work remains on display through August 16, and is not to be missed by anyone with an appreciation for Afro-Cubanism or those interested in seeing the work of an artist at the very height of his abilities.
N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art: 52 E. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313-831-8700; nnamdicenter.org
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