The debut monograph on Aboudia, the acclaimed Ivorian-American contemporary artist, explores the vibrant yet tumultuous world that defines his oeuvre. Born in 1983, Aboudia draws deeply from the street culture of his hometown, Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, creating visually arresting and emotionally charged paintings.
Aboudia’s work is renowned for its layered complexity and raw energy. His paintings, characterized by their brutal dynamism, blend an almost childlike innocence with a profound sense of darkness. This juxtaposition vividly captures the trauma and chaos following the Ivorian civil wars (2004–2011), rendering scenes populated by armed soldiers, foreboding skulls, and citizens ensnared by danger. These urban landscapes are not just depictions of external turmoil but are also reflections of a deeply scarred internal world.
The artist’s recent pieces delve into the societal and personal hardships of life in Ivory Coast, emphasizing the stark social inequalities. Aboudia’s imagery is rich with characters drawn from his immediate environment and the contemporary “Nouchi” culture and language, illustrating the vibrant resilience of Abidjan’s inhabitants. His paintings are a feast of details that emerge gradually with each viewing, offering a complex tapestry of references. These range from traditional arts and spiritual symbols to contemporary West African cultural motifs, creating a melting pot that pays homage to the past while engaging with the present.
Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi is a distinguished Nigerian artist, art historian, and curator. Currently serving as a curator in the Department of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Nzewi brings a deep scholarly insight into Aboudia’s work, situating it within a broader artistic and cultural context.
Gauz, the pen name of Patrick Armand-Gbaka Brede, adds a literary and sociocultural dimension to the monograph. A photographer, writer, and editor of a satirical Ivorian economic newspaper, Gauz is also the acclaimed author of the novel “Debout-Payé,” published in Paris in 2014 by “Le Nouvel Attila.” His unique perspective enriches the narrative of Aboudia’s art, linking it to broader themes of resilience and survival in post-colonial Africa.
Buy This book HERE
US Price: $60.00
CDN Price: $80.00