Owanto Berger

Owanto is a multi-cultural Gabonese artist. Owanto grew up in Gabon, where she spent her formative years, and eventually moved to Europe where she studied Philosophy, Literature and Languages at the Institut Catholique de Paris in Madrid.

Owanto has been working on her art for over 30 years and has taken a multidisciplinary approach in her creative process, working across a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and performance. Her work aims to be a voice of African women in the arts. Owanto had the honour of representing the Republic of Gabon at the 53rd International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale in 2009, with a solo show in the first-ever Pavillon du Gabon, curated by Fernando Francés, Director of CAC Malaga, Spain. She was the first artist from sub-Saharan Africa to have a solo exhibition in a National Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

Her creative process arises from her belief in art’s ability to transform consciousness and affect change. As the daughter of a Gabonese mother and French father, shaped by Africa, Europe, colonialism, and the earth – Owanto’s interest in memory stems from her questioning of her own history. Through the idea of collage, she goes through he...

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2016
“Flowers” Conseil National, Monaco
2015
Owanto “L’Atelier de l’artiste” In collaboration with Galeria Yusto-Giner, Art Marbella OFF, Marbella, Spain
2014
“Here, Now.” Dar Rhizlane Palace, Marrakech Biennale 5 OFF, Marrakech, Morocco
2013
“PROTECT” Public art intervention, Jardins de Saint Martin, Monaco
2012
“Où Allons Nous?” Voice Gallery, Marrakech, Morocco
2011
“El Faro de la Memoria” Galería Maior, Espacio Atlantico, Vigo, Spain
“El Faro de la Memoria” Galería Maior, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2009
“The Lighthouse of Memory, Go Nogé Mènè” Galleria Ca’ D’Oro, Rome, Italy
“The Lighthouse of Memory, Go Nogé Mènè” Republic of Gabon Pavilion, 53rd Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy


GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2016
“Beauty” Centro de Exposiciones de Benálmadena, Benálmadena, Spain
“Made in Spain. Periplo por el arte español de hoy” MAD Antequera, Málaga, Spain
2015
“Beauty” La Térmica, Málaga, Spain
“Arternativelight [5]” Chapiteau de Fontvieille, Monaco
“IMAGO MUNDI, Map of the New Art” Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy
“Beauty” MAD Antequera, Málaga, Spain
“World Academy” Accademia di Brera, EXPO Milano 2015, Milan, Italy
“IMAGO MUNDI, Made in Spain” CAC Málaga...