Cover image: Rosée I and II by Faten Rouissi and En-corps nb. 2 by Y. Touré
© Entrée to Black Paris

From May 11-31, 2023, the association Pour l’art pour l’Afrique presented the third edition of Traverses Africaines (African Crossings) - an event through which the public was invited to meet artists and view works from the African continent and its diaspora at 29 galleries around Paris.

As part of this program, La Galerie Africaine mounted an exhibition called ECHO in collaboration with Duvivier Canapés in the 6th arrondissement.  It is ongoing through August 31, 2023, and it is well worth the time you might take to visit it.

Unlike traditional gallery shows, where works of art are shown adjacent to each other, this show displays works in rooms that showcase Duvivier's beautiful sofas and chairs.  It feels like you've walked into a luxurious home!

Works by T. Konte, Zian Alabdeen, and Y. Touré
© Entrée to Black Paris

Bronze sculptures by H. Yameogo; paintings by Faten Rouissi
© Entrée to Black Paris

Migrations
Zian Alabdeen
Mixed media on canvas
© Entrée to Black Paris

Freedom (wall art) by N'Dorah and La famille en cheval by Ib. Guiré
© Entrée to Black Paris

Wooden sculptures; paintings by Faten Rouissi and Zian Alabdeen
© Entrée to Black Paris

A la recherche de la liberté
Zian Alabdeen
Mixed media on canvas
© Entrée to Black Paris

Portraits by Camara Gueye
Acrylic on canvas
© Entrée to Black Paris

The artists whose work is being shown in ECHO are the following (in alphabetical order):

I. Zian Alabdeen - Sudan
Mamadou Fayé - Senegal
Camara Gueye - Senegal
T. Konte - Senegal
Yao Metsoko - Togo
N'Dorah - France/Cameroon
Faten Rouissi - Tunisia
Karim Tapsoba - Burkina Faso

and several master bronze smiths of Burkina Faso:

M. Bilgo
Is. Boukoungou
A. Démé
Is. Dermé
Is. Gandema
M. Guira
Ib. Guiré
Y. Touré
H. Yameogo

Three artists are featured in the show.

Faten Rouissi was born in 1967 in Tunis. Her work takes her around the world, from Carthage, where she has her studio, to the U.S., Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, and several European countries.  Galerist Aude Minart of La Galerie Africaine selected several of Rouissi's bold, bright acrylic paintings for ECHO.

Entre mer et ciel
Faten Rouissi
Acrylic on canvas
© Entrée to Black Paris

Yao Metsoko's work is frequently featured in shows mounted by La Galerie Africaine.  For ECHO, Aude Minart selected two paintings that portray the Zem motorcycle taxis that are abundant in Benin and Togo.  (The word "zemidjan" means "take me away quickly" in the Fon language.)  Because many accidents and deaths result from using this form of transportation, Metsoko is using these paintings as a colorful and humorous way to call attention to the dangers associated with them.

Zem nb. 8 and Zem nb. 3
Yao Metsoko
Acrylic on canvas
© Entrée to Black Paris

Zian Alabdeen was born in 1969 in Khartoum. At the age of 17, he encountered the lifestyle and music of the nomadic people of Berta when he exhibited for the first time in a city located south of the Blue Nile. Their archaic writings and use of animals to express their feelings have influenced his work ever since.

Migrations (close up)
Zian Alabdeen
Mixed media on canvas
© Entrée to Black Paris

Stop by Duvivier Canapés from Monday through Saturday between 10:30 AM and 7 PM, or contact Aude Minart at audeminart@hotmail.com or 06.60.24.06.26 to set up an appointment to see ECHO.

Showroom Duvivier Canapés
27, rue Mazarine
75006 Paris
Metro: Odéon (Lines 4 and 10)