Dialogues

9 Oct-12 Dec 2025

Overview

Ordovas presents Dialogues, an exhibition exploring the influence of non-Western art on twentieth and twenty first-century movements, and how opinions relating to the topic have been tested, revised and expanded over the years.

Juxtaposing major works of Western art with those from Africa and Oceania, the exhibition looks back to the turn of the 20th century when artists including Giacometti and Picasso first encountered masks and sculptures from these areas, approaching them with a renewed perspective, and inspiring them to pioneer a new art movement. The exhibition also includes a selection of contemporary works reflecting the conversations this subject has continued to promote over recent years, and its enduring relevance today.

In presenting this exhibition, Ordovas is pleased to be working in collaboration with Jean Fritts, an independent advisor and former International Chairman African & Oceanic Art at Sotheby’s, and her former colleague, Pierre Mollfulleda who was head of the department in Paris. A fully illustrated catalogue includes specially commissioned essays by Philippe Peltier, former department head at the Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris, who contributed to the 1984 catalogue for the landmark exhibition “Primitivism” in 20th Century Art at MoMA.