NIAY BEN Print

It is well known that the eyes are the mirror of the soul, aware of my vision on the scenes of life, I discovered my soul as an artist. Taking action to create works is a continuation of this discovery. I think with my hands! In my way of doing things, my hands have always taken an important place: they incite me to do. And often when I think of creating, I think of making it. For me it is a culmination and an accomplishment to bring to life the things I have designed. This way of being can only blossom in Art. I decided to express it on subjects that are close to my heart: to tell and show the magnificent Stories, Emblems, Icons, Signs & Symbols, Know-How that I know of Africa, because I think that the world does not know enough about Africa. The know-how of the artisanal production of woven fabrics in Africa is part of the intangible heritage of the cultural history of the different ethnic groups throughout the African continent. Since the 6th century, according to the Kissi Artefacts in Burkina Faso, master weavers have been reproducing age-old gestures with reverence because weaving is not only a skill but, according to the various myths, a spiritual dialogue between the spirit of the ancestors and the spirit of the weaver. It is in this mystical fusion that the weaver obtains training, guidance and inspiration on the techniques of his loom. The history, the skills, the beauty of their art, the beautiful fabrics and this spiritual relationship inspire me in my work. I practice plastic arts thanks to different methods that I borrowed from several trades; from textile marking to signage, from carpentry to sewing, from graphic design to photography, through design and multimedia. I compose figurative, stylistic and abstract creations with collage, nailing, sewing and photogaphy techniques that I stage with material supports such as the fabrics woven by the master weavers of the different West African ethnic groups. I also use canvas, polyurethane film, polycarbonate, dibond, chromalux, upholstery nails etc. Translated with (free version)