AFIKARIS presents Hervé Yamguen, Jean David Nkot, Eva Obodo, and Salifou Lindou at 1-54 New York, on display until May 4th.
Hervé Yamguen is an artist specializing in writing, visual arts, photography, and performance art. His work explores themes of eroticism and the human-plant-animal relationship, aiming to narrate deeply human stories. Yamguen has participated in numerous exhibitions worldwide, including “La route des chefferies du Cameroun” at the Musée du quai Branly and 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. His sculptures received a commendation from art critic Philippe Dagen in 2016, during the AKAA – Paris fair.
Jean David Nkot’s art, characterized by lifelike portraits against meticulously mapped backgrounds, has shifted since 2020 to address the exploitation of natural resources in Africa and its socio-economic and political ramifications. His recent work focuses on cotton cultivation, connecting it to the origins of capitalism and underscoring the adverse environmental and social consequences. Nkot, a graduate of the Institute of Fine Arts in Foumban and the National School of Arts in Paris-Cergy, France, has exhibited his work at prestigious art fairs and cultural institutions worldwide.
Eva Obodo is a Nigerian artist who uses fiber and charcoal as her primary mediums to create relief paintings and sculptures. Her work explores socio-political and economic issues in Nigeria, focusing on natural resources and development. Obodo’s works are influenced by economic and political landscapes, community, nationhood, and the global economy. She has exhibited her work in solo exhibitions at Arthouse-The Space and participated in international group exhibitions. In 2013, Obodo received the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship Award. She is also a professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Salifou Lindou, a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, has shifted from his early mixed-media collages to pastel techniques, focusing on life-size figures and highlighting humanity’s vulnerability. His art challenges conventional perceptions of paper and reflects the world’s realities, including the pressing issue of migration. Lindou’s work challenges conventional perceptions of paper and highlights the inherent fragility and vulnerability of humanity.
AFIKARIS, established in 2018, is a gallery showcasing African and diaspora artists. Located in Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth, it showcases their works through exhibitions, fairs, and collaborations. In 2023, it introduced a residency program. AFIKARIS encourages critical reflection and dialogue, promoting both emerging and established artists in the contemporary African art scene.
1-54 presents contemporary African art from top international galleries, featuring artist talks, panel discussions, and a Special Projects program, honoring the fifty-four African nations.
