AKAA Also Known As Africa

So Art Gallery is delighted to announce its participation in the AKAA (Also Known As Africa) Fair, which will take place from October 19 to 22, 2023, at the Carré du Temple in Paris. The gallery will occupy booth C12 during this exceptional event.

For this new edition of the AKAA Fair, So Art Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition project bringing together four talented artists, each exploring their cultural and identity heritage through unique artistic expressions. This exhibition will highlight the captivating works of Ebenezer Samuel Akinola, Ghany Belmaachi, Ahmed Hajoubi, and Ange Dakouo—four artists who have made a significant impact on the contemporary African art scene.

Ebenezer Samuel Akinola, hailing from Nigeria, is an artist whose artistic style emphasizes black culture while challenging notions of race, gender, beauty, identity, and contemporary African politics. His portraits and studies of figures demonstrate a subtle balance between realistic and abstract passages, adding extra depth with meticulous details to highlight areas of interest. His talent has been recognized through prestigious commissions, including portraits of former Nigerian leaders exhibited at the National Gallery of Art in Lagos.

Ghany Belmaachi, a native of Marrakech, is an iconic figure in contemporary Moroccan art. From a young age, he was passionate about painting and drawing, and his talent quickly emerged. His artistic journey is marked by a profound desire to communicate with the public and create works with sociological connotations. He founded the group SITUATION 73, which organized an international exhibition at Jemâa El Fna Square in Marrakech, marking the beginning of a new figuration and innovative plastic vocabulary. His art evokes a broader social and human metaphor, and his contribution to the development of the plastic arts in Morocco is invaluable.

Ahmed Hajoubi, a contemporary Moroccan artist born in Guercif, possesses versatile and eclectic talent. His work oscillates between drawing, sculpture, painting, and installation, brilliantly exploring childhood themes. His approach is distinguished by a laborious treatment of materials and the use of modest objects reminiscent of his childhood memories. His work exudes a constant jubilant atmosphere, testifying to his ability to continually rethink his artistic vocabulary. His exhibition "Qorchal" marked a turning point in his career, making him a major figure in contemporary art in Morocco.

Ange Dakouo, born in Côte d'Ivoire, is a versatile and curious artist who works in drawing, painting, sculpture, and video. His latest artistic exploration, the "woven gris-gris," stems from his attachment to paper journals, which he transforms into works bearing memories frozen in time. These small woven rectangles evoke the protective amulet of a newborn and the traditional attire of West African hunters. His work is marked by an esoteric aesthetic, exploring ideas deeply rooted in African culture.

This exhibition project will be an invitation to discover African art from a new perspective, celebrating creativity, innovation, and the timeless connections that unite artists with their cultural heritage. Each of these four artists brings their unique and personal vision of Africa, evoking history, spirituality, and identity through their creations.

The AKAA Fair represents a unique opportunity to delve into the captivating universe of these talented artists. So Art Gallery invites you to join this artistic adventure at booth C12 at the Carré du Temple in Paris from October 19 to 22, 2023.