Leandro Mbomio, the “Black Picasso”: Spanish state propaganda, Blackness, and neocolonialism in Equatorial Guinea

Abstract

In 1968, Equatorial Guinea’s emergence as an independent nation signaled a pivotal chapter in Spain’s national identity, deeply grounded on an imperial narrative. Around this juncture, Leandro Mbomio was etching his mark on Spain's cultural milieu as a sculptor. His success and persona reflected the image, voice, and thought the Francoist state sought in its former African subjects. Amid Spain’s stringent media censorship, the official narrative that emerges from Mbomio’s career is captivating. He was celebrated as “the black Picasso” and deemed emblematic of Black culture in Spain. This paper seeks to answer the following questions: How did the portrayal and reception of Mbomio reflect Spain’s shifting views on Equatorial Guinea, “Black Africa”, and the broader understanding of “Blackness” at the time?

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