Art pieces

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KOUAME Koffi Aristide was born on June 17, 1995 in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), graduated from DESA (Diploma of Higher Artistic Studies) and Master 2 in painting, obtained at the National School of Fine Arts in Abidjan where he enters after the secondary cycle. He lives and works in Abidjan.

In the fine arts painting workshop in Abidjan, he learned from his masters, in particular Mr. Pascal KONAN, from whom he was greatly inspired.

His work essentially deals with the subject of man and his environment. The idea of recycling flip flops comes quite simply from the fact that in Africa, specifically in Côte d'Ivoire, we tend to reuse objects used on a daily basis, in particular, cans, plastic bags, cans and many others…

Aristide, in his work tries to act as an environmentalist, an archivist, a data collector, who collects the traces, the imprints left on the flip-flops recovered at the edge of the water and in his environment. The topics covered here are related to the question of identity, recovery and many other social concerns. Through the recycling of flip-flops   into pictorial works, Aristide cleverly plays with the link between what is considered "vanity" and beauty and the art of "Recycling", giving waste a second life, shaping it to create portraits. He tries to retrace a path that seems erased.

Through his works, one can very often perceive words in French or even in Nouchi (Ivorian vernacular language) or in Baoulé (ethnic group from the center of Côte d'Ivoire), and many other languages. The letters and words used are considered as links  between men, and constitute a heritage for future generations, because it is said: “the writings speak when man is silent.

References

https://yemayadesign.com/collections/aristide-kouame

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/aristide-kouame-ivorian-artist-turns-discarded-flip-flops-from-beach-into-masterpieces-7452251/