Alexander Yakovlev is a skilful artist and traveler, in the history of art he is known as a representative of two countries — Russia and France — but the geography of his artistic activity was way wider. His paintings and graphics of trans-African 'Black Expedition' will be presented in Russia for the first time in The 'Our Artists' Gallery.

In 1924 company 'Citroёn' invited Yakovlev to expeditions through Africa and Asia as an artist. The route of 'Black Expedition' was estimated with around 20.000 kilometres and lead through the Central Africa. As a result of this trip in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris a vast exhibition was held. Yakovlev's artworks were exposed side by side with the items of African art and culture.

The exposition in The 'Our Artists' Gallery would like to recreate the unique atmosphere of that trip. An array of Yakovlev's African cycle is complemented with authentic African art of 1920-1930 — wooden sculpture, jewellery and raffia.

Curators
Yelena Kamenskaya
Natalia Kournikova

Translated by
Polina Vologdina