A Fiction Of Authenticity: Contemporary Africa Abroad Contemporary Africa Abroad

This full-color catalog 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. These artists have positioned themselves outside the frame of Africa, but remain connected, and by doing so have 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 essays by significant international critical voices. 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.