Bwo Gallery announces the opening of ‘Fragments d’origines: Une odyssée ancestrale’, an evocative solo exhibition by Cameroonian painter Victorien Bazo in Douala, Cameroon. The exhibition opened on the 21st of September 2024 and will run until the 26th of October 2024. ‘Fragments d’origines: Une odyssée ancestrale’ marks a pivotal moment in Bazo’s career, showcasing his first solo presentation in a gallery and offering a profound exploration of cultural heritage through his distinctive narrative style.
In ‘Fragments d’origines’, Bazo embarks on a quest to reconcile his ancestral roots with the shifting landscapes of contemporary identity. His work invites viewers to navigate a visual dialogue that intertwines personal reflection with universal themes of cultural hybridity and dislocation. With a distinctive use of vignette-style compositions, Bazo constructs his canvases as intricate mosaics, where multiple perspectives converge to offer a deeper understanding of the human experience in a rapidly globalising world.
Bazo’s paintings are set amidst the rural Bamiléké region of Western Cameroon, are both intimate and expansive. Each canvas is anchored by a corner detail such as a negative imprint of traditional symbols or rituals from his ethnic heritage each of which serves as a portal into the past. This subtle nod to tradition gives way to a more contemporary vision that occupies the rest of the canvas, depicting the evolving social and cultural practices of the artist’s community.
This interplay creates a powerful dialogue between past and present thereby confronting the viewer with heritage and modernity. Bazo’s practice is rooted in his background in comic art and it captures the tension and beauty of cultural duality. Therefore, the dynamic compositions and layered narratives challenge notions of authenticity and belonging, posing questions about roots and change. Overall, his paintings are a testament to resilience of memory and tradition, reimagined for the 21st century.
