Pepe Dámaso exhibits his African work at Casa África

The plastic artist from the Canary Islands Pepe Dámaso stars in Casa África's new exhibition, which opened Friday in two of the institution's exhibition halls. Entitled Pepe Damaso - Africa, the exhibition curated by Orlando Britto Jinorio puts together drawings, sculptures, totems, masks and paintings with which the artist attempts to honour the African continent and show how it has inspired his work. Casa África makes the most of this exhibition, which will remain open until 7th August, to mark Africa Day on 25th May, and the creation of the African Union. The exhibition is a recognition for the work of one of the most prolific and beloved contemporary artists of the Canary Islands, Canarys Islands Fine Arts Prize and Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: José Damaso Trujillo, better known in the world of art as Pepe Damaso.

Pepe Damaso first travelled to Dakar (Senegal) in 1966, to celebrate the First Festival of Black Arts, where he was the only Spanish representative. That is where his commitment to Africa and African things came about, although he had already addressed African themes since 1955. Pepe Damaso exhibited in Dakar for the occasion and was visited by the actress Marpesa Down, star of Black Orpheus (1959). He also collaborated at that time with Angela Pla and the West Africa Ballet, whose costumes and sets in the Teatro Perez Galdos, in several of the performances that were part of its European tour in the late 60's, were created by the artist's hands . These African experiences were renewed in 2000 in Gorée, with a new show hosted on this occasion, by the Spanish Embassy in Senegal and the Canary Islands Government.