Ange Dakouo, a visionary artist from Mali, masterfully intertwines traditional donso hunter amulets with contemporary art, creating his signature “woven gris-gris” technique. His work, which blends the tactile richness of textiles with the intricacies of paper, bridges cultural heritage and modernity.
hube: Your technique, gris-gris tissé, is deeply inspired by the amulets worn by Malian traditional hunters. Could you share more about how these objects influence your artistic process and the symbolism behind them?
Ange Dakouo: My woven gris-gris technique, the gris-gris tissé, is indeed strongly influenced by the amulets worn by traditional Malian hunters, also known as donso. These objects inspire me through their symbolism of protection and spiritual connection with nature.
I consider these gris-gris as ancestral knowledge, enriching my work by providing a deep source of inspiration. They offer me traditional motifs, themes and techniques that I incorporate into my creations, thus establishing a link between the contemporary and cultural heritage. This gives my art a narrative and symbolic dimension, strengthening the connection with my roots while offering a contemporary perspective.
h: Your works seem to blur the lines between textile art and paper art, creating a unique visual experience for viewers. How do you balance the usage of paper with textiles?
AD: The intertwining of textile art and paper art is at the core of my artistic practice. I strive to create a unique visual experience by harmoniously blending these two mediums. To balance the use of paper and textiles, I play with textures, patterns, and manipulation techniques to create works that transcend the boundaries between the two mediums.
h: Growing up as the son of a printer, how has your familial background influenced your approach to art, particularly in your use of recycled newsprint as a medium?
AD: My experience as the son of a printer has profoundly influenced my artistic approach. Growing up surrounded by paper, I learned to value available resources. Using recycled newspapers as a medium in my art is both a tribute to my father and a reflection on sustainability and material reuse.
h: In your exhibitions, such as Les Boîtes Rouges and Demain sera meilleur, you’ve showcased your art in diverse settings. How do you adapt your work to different exhibition spaces, and what do you hope viewers take away from each experience?
AD: Adapting my work to different exhibition spaces is essential for creating immersive experiences for viewers. For each exhibition, I consider the architecture, light, and atmosphere to present my works in the most impactful way possible. I hope that viewers leave each experience with a new perspective on the relationship between art, space, and their own sensory experience.
h: You’ve been part of various art fairs and exhibitions internationally. How does exhibiting your work in different cultural contexts shape your artistic perspective and the themes you explore?
AD: Participating in art fairs and exhibitions in various cultural contexts enriches my artistic perspective and fuels my creativity. Each interaction with a new audience opens up new possibilities for thematic exploration and artistic expression. I am constantly inspired by the different perspectives and cultural stories I encounter through my travels and international exhibitions.
h: Could you tell us more about your involvement with the Tim’Art collective and how collaborating with other artists has influenced your practice?
AD: My involvement in the Tim’Arts collective has deeply shaped my artistic practice. Collaborating with other talents has given me the opportunity to explore new creative avenues, exchange ideas, and benefit from constructive feedback. This artistic synergy has enriched my creative process, pushing me to stretch the limits of my artistic expression and explore innovative concepts and techniques alongside fellow passionate artists.
h: Your residency at the Blachère Foundation and the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris provided unique opportunities for artistic exploration. How did these experiences impact your creative process and the direction of your work?
AD: My residency at the Blachère Foundation and the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris with the Fondation H was a transformative experience that profoundly influenced my artistic journey. These periods of total immersion provided me with an unhindered space for artistic exploration, allowing me to deepen my reflection and refine my practice. Meeting other artists and discovering new cultural perspectives broadened my horizons and nourished my inspiration, pushing me to push the boundaries of my art.
h: Words play a significant role in your art, appearing between the cotton threads in your woven pieces. What significance do these words hold, and how do they contribute to the narrative of your artwork?
AD: To be honest, the meaning of the words in my artistic practice matters little or almost not at all; these words add strength to the texture of my work. They are not there to be read. It’s a way for me to say, in the same way that others speak, we too have our say… a story to tell.
These words play a central role in my work, acting as narrative and conceptual elements that enrich the meaning of my creations. Integrated among the cotton threads in my woven pieces, these words capture the viewer’s attention and invite deeper contemplation. They carry multiple meanings, all from press clippings, ranging from enchanting texts to introspective reflections on universal themes such as identity, memory, and spirituality, as well as socio-cultural and sometimes political subjects. Thus, they enrich the visual narrative of my works and open the door to subjective and personal interpretation.
h: As your art enters collections around the world, including prestigious institutions like the Fondation H and private collections, how do you see your work evolving in the future?
AD: As my work continues to be acquired by renowned collections worldwide, I see my artistic evolution as an endless journey marked by constant exploration and experimentation. I am driven by an insatiable desire to deepen my understanding of art and its potential to transcend cultural and social barriers. By embracing the unknown and remaining open to possibilities, I am excited to see how my work will continue to evolve and interact with an increasingly broad and diverse audience.
Images courtesy of ANGE DAKOUO
