Picasso 'stole the work of African artists'

UK Telegraph ^ | 3/12/06 | Stephen Bevan

[durasell]

A lot of the lyrics -- like I Shot the Sheriff -- based on old westerns and gangster movies.

Go back a little more to Ska -- and there's the big band influence.

[Sam Cree]

"...the South African government embarrasses itself by making such boneheaded statements, revealing a complete ignorance of the artistic dialectic, the way ideas translate across cultures and time."

It's boneheaded all right, and authoritarian in its inspiration too, IMO.

[higgmeister]

His letter has prompted a furious response, with one correspondent comparing his attitude to the "black fascists who were critical of Paul Simon when he collaborated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo".

Simon worked with the group on his Gracelands album in 1986 and was accused of exploiting them for commercial ends.

Someone could ask Joseph Shabalala if he feels exploited by Paul Simon. Or ask how many Ladysmith Black Mambazo albums have been sold around the world since their exposure to an audience they would never have reached without Simon.

I'm a huge fan of their melodious harmony but before Simon went to South Africa it was just called missionary music and nobody listened to it.

[higgmeister]

Sister Carol!

[anton]

Funny that Romare Bearden, the most African American artist who incorporated many tribal type primative images in his work credited Matisse for his inspiration.