Ange Dakouo

Biography
Ange Dakouo, Convergence #2, 2024. AFIKARIS Gallery
ANGE DAKOUO WAS BORN IN 1990 IN IVORY COAST. HE LIVES AND WORKS IN BAMAKO, MALI. 
 
A graduate of the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia in Bamako, Dakouo is a multidisciplinary artist who skillfully merges tradition with modernity. Under the mentorship of Abdoulaye Konaté and inspired by El Anatsui, Dakouo's work delves into the subtleties of color, constantly pushing the boundaries of his artistic expression.
 
His creations, both visually striking and thought-provoking, address global inequalities and the pressing need for a more just society. Often resembling tapestries, his pieces blend traditional artisanal techniques with contemporary conceptual frameworks.
 
Drawing inspiration from the Donso hunters, iconic figures in Malian culture, Dakouo reimagines their protective amulets, known as gris-gris, in his art. He incorporates newspaper, a nod to his father who worked as a printer, and thread to construct these works, forming a unique visual language that symbolizes resilience in the face of life's challenges.
 
His art has been exhibited both in Mali and internationally at renowned events such as the Congo Biennial and the 15th documenta in Kassel in 2022. Dakouo's work is also part of several institutional collections, including the Fondation H in Madagascar, the Société Ivoirienne de Banque, and the Fondation Blachère in France and Senegal.
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Works
Exhibitions
Interview

On the occasion of his solo show Ce rythme, mon Esprit, une discorde, on view in our Project Room until 23 November, artist Ange Dakouo shared with us the story behind his project and his creative vision in a a special interview.


YOUR EXHIBITION IS ENTITLED CE RYTHME, MON ESPRIT, UNE DISCORDE. HOW DID THIS PROJECT COME ABOUT, AND HOW DOES IT FIT IN WITH YOUR ARTISTIC APPROACH?

 

It all started with Charlie Chaplin's final speech in his 1940 film The Great Dictator. I discovered it through a dance piece by a friend in Bamako. In this speech, he urges us to banish everything that has to do with tyranny and to encourage each other to move towards a more harmonious society, a society awash with joy and peace. Through this passionate call for fraternity and the fight against oppression, I'm trying to evoke this link with war, to question this subject that intrigues me and to explore how we can move forward in a context where everyone must do their bit to eradicate this scourge.

 

IN A CONTEXT MARKED BY RISING TENSIONS AND A GROWING SENSE OF INSECURITY FOR MANY COMMUNITIES, HOW DO YOU, AS AN ARTIST, MANAGE TO CAPTURE AND REPRESENT THESE REALITIES IN YOUR WORK?

 

For this exhibition, I felt it was really important to represent these notions of growing insecurity in our society. This tension, which is present in several geographical areas of the world, is characterised by an installation called ‘...’. It consists of a sky formed by red wires from which hang rusty bits of metal, shell casings and razor blades.The installation's sole aim is to convey the sense of insecurity and danger that hangs over the person walking through it. While they may try to ignore it, or may not even be aware of it, the danger is present and cannot be ignored in the long term.


READ THE FULL INTERVIEW