South African avant-garde artist Ernest Mancoba spent most of his life in France, where, after completing his studies at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, he became an active protagonist of the Parisian scene, interacting with artists such as Picasso and Mondrian. A black artist, born and raised under the apartheid regime, he developed a practice that represented a unique synthesis of modern European art and African culture. His paintings often reflect the Ubuntu philosophy, which is based upon compassion and respect for others.
