Abidjan, 4th of March 2024
Dedicated to artists from the African continent and the diaspora, the GALERIE FARAH FAKHRI programme showcase contemporary art across painting, sculpture, textile, and mixed media installations. The gallery is delighted to present « Look at me in the eyes », a duo show of two new generation artists: Samson Bakare and Sesse Elangwe, from February 29th to April 13th 2024. The entire body of works was produced during their residency in Abidjan. Elangwe and Bakare both explore the look in the eyes, with an exaggeration that is sometimes comic and sometimes mysterious.
Samson Bakare (b. 1993), from Nigeria, adopts a multidisciplinary approach that pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. For Bakare, art is the language through which he expresses his dreams and deepest emotions.
His artistic evolution has allowed him to explore mediums other than painting, such as drawing and sculpture. Rejecting academic constraints, his characters are endowed with characteristic facial expressions, their noses, and eyes amplified, prominent, and memorable.
Image Courtesy of Galerie Farah Fakhri
Beyond aesthetics, around Bakare’s philosophy, are pressing issues such as the preservation of cultural heritage and the prejudices of urban life of the African continent.
In this series, Bakare finds inspiration in the peaceful atmosphere of Abidjan, contrasting it with the vibrant energy of his native Lagos.
Through colorful background, bright colors and omnipresent elements of African symbolism, the artist suggests a sense of harmony and serenity, like the ocean. He invites us to join him on a poetic journey of exploration, reflection, and personal transformation.
Sesse Elangwe, a self-taught artist from Cameroon (b. 1994), is a visionary who invites us to travel through his world, which is full of mystery and humor.
Image Courtesy of Galerie Farah Fakhri
His artistic style skillfully blends elements of surrealism, expressionism, and traditional art. He draws his inspiration from the essence of the present moment, reflecting an evolving awareness of himself and everyone else.
Through his paintings, Elangwe encourages us to explore the innermost ideas of our imagination and consciousness. He invites introspection, urging us to look beyond our physical appearance. His way of working with the eye symbolizes a commitment to curiosity and learning, a reminder to remain receptive to the new experiences and perspectives that life has to offer.
Image Courtesy of Galerie Farah Fakhri
Inspired by the nature, his culture and his environment, the artist draws on his roots, sometimes with a slight allusion to the United States. Elangwe shares his travels and discoveries, encouraging audiences to follow their dreams limitlessly.
Committed to social justice and the fight against oppression, he tackles powerful themes such as injustice, resilience, and hope. Through a mirrored work created during his residency, he invites us to contemplate our personal aspirations, to introspect through his work. His artistic vision acts as a reflection of the human condition, reminding us of our responsibility to others and to our planet.
Image Courtesy of Galerie Farah Fakhri
By exploring the thematic of collective memory and transformation, these two artists remind us of the power of Art, transcending boundaries and inspiring changes; pushing us to see the world differently, to embrace diversity and nourish our imagination.
For press inquiries please contact Marie-Lou Marchand at presse@galeriefarahfakhri.com
Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm.
Exhibition dates: 29th February to 13th April 2024.
ABOUT FARAH FAKHRI
Born and raised in the Ivorian capital, Farah Fakhri is the founder and director of GALERIE FARAH FAKHRI . She has been a long-time collector of African art, dedicated to supporting artists from the continent and the African diaspora.
Farah Fakhri first developed a passion for contemporary art while working for CHANEL, where all operations and events were connected with various artistic practices. She participated in the organisation of exhibitions at museums like the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris; the Dongdaemun History Museum in Seoul; and the Ca’ Pesaro museum in Venice.
After spending years living and working in Dubai, and later graduating from the École du Louvre (Paris) and Christie’s Education (London), Fakhri returned to her native Abidjan in 2019, where she began building a family art collection. While doing so, she organised exhibitions, residencies, visits to artist studios, also hosting them, transforming her personal space into a platform of encounter and connection. Fakhri’s deep connection to the African continent is not only through her place of birth but also a true passion for the creativity in the region. She returned to the Ivory Coast with a new energy and genuine aspiration to make a meaningful contribution to the arts and support her country’s emerging scene. Surrounded by artists that drive her passion is what resonates most with the founder. The gallery opens as a safe space for practices highlighting emotions, feelings and challenges, as well as further understanding of the environment in which we live today.
