Les Abalochas dansent pour Dhambala, dieu de l’unité

A vivid exploration of Afro-Caribbean histories

Wifredo Lam's 1970 work, Les Abalochas dansent pour Dhambala, dieu de l’unité, manifests a profound engagement with Afro-Caribbean narratives. Emerging from Lam's return to the Caribbean, this piece disrupts colonial structures through its transformative figures and landscapes, serving as an 'act of decolonization.'

Lam's unique heritage, encompassing African and Chinese descent, informs the materiality and spatial organization of the work. The painting's composition is a tapestry of cultural symbolism, reflecting a deep connection to the Caribbean environment and its complex histories.

Design Highlights

• Integration of Afro-Caribbean cultural motifs

• Use of transformative figures to challenge colonial narratives

• Rich, layered landscapes evoking a sense of unity

Key Facts

This work matters as it embodies a powerful narrative of cultural reclamation and unity, resonating with Lam's commitment to modern painting and political conviction.