African Art from the Mack Collection

Like many great artists, Heinz Mack also found inspiration in African art. His artistic expeditions into the African desert and his encounters with the special light, the people and the architecture have continued to influence his art to this day. His collection of African art is being published for the first time.

Since 1955 Heinz Mack has undertaken artistic expeditions into the deserts of Africa. It was here that he created his Sahara Project, with which he became a pioneer of Land Art. During his travels he purchased works by African artists which moved him, aroused his curiosity about foreign objects and which were then absorbed naturally into his life and work. The ornamental, sculptural and woven works by unknown African artists inspired Mack, and their power has been integrated into his own works on a subconscious level. The collection includes sculptures and objects made of wood, clay or metal – materials which are also characteristic for the reception of Mack’s art.