Anticolonialism Afrique du Sud 1983

This powerful original gouache painting from 1983 by the celebrated Soviet satirical collective Kukryniksy embodies a direct and forceful critique of colonial oppression and racial injustice, specifically addressing apartheid-era South Africa.

The composition is boldly executed in vivid gouache, using stark contrasts of yellow, black, and muted tones to heighten the emotional impact of the scene. It depicts an African figure, represented heroically, striking a dramatic blow against a caricatured colonial officer, whose exaggerated features underscore his brutality and moral corruption. The swirling Cyrillic letters erupting from the punch add a dynamic and symbolic energy—expressing visually the force of resistance and liberation.

Kukryniksy—a pseudonym derived from the names of artists Mikhail Kupriyanov, Porfiry Krylov, and Nikolai Sokolov—were renowned in the Soviet Union for their political cartoons, posters, and paintings that masterfully combined artistic skill with sharp social commentary. Active since the 1920s, the group became particularly influential during World War II and throughout the Cold War, using satire and powerful visual storytelling as weapons against fascism, imperialism, and colonialism.

This particular piece aligns closely with Soviet ideological support for global anti-colonial movements, capturing a widespread international outcry against apartheid policies of racial segregation and oppression in South Africa. Beyond its political message, the artwork’s dynamic composition, bold color scheme, and stark symbolism exemplify the distinctive visual language that made Kukryniksy iconic in the realm of political art.

Today, "Anticolonialism: South Africa" remains historically significant as both art and activism, reflecting the intense solidarity movements and the global struggle against racial injustice during the late 20th century.

Politics - Colony - USSR - South Africa

Poster project

Good condition, traces of folds, scratches