Aboudia

Aboudia, whose full name is Abdoulaye Diarrassouba, is a contemporary painter from Côte d'Ivoire. Born in 1983 in Abidjan, he is primarily recognized for his vibrant and energetic works that blend graffiti and traditional painting, reflecting the social and political complexities of his homeland as well as the urban realities of street children. His works are often populated with childlike figures, animals, symbols, and texts, creating vibrant and chaotic scenes that capture the hustle and bustle of Abidjan's streets. The artist draws inspiration from his immediate environment, particularly from street children, and his works testify to the political turmoil and social difficulties of Côte d'Ivoire.

His distinctive and faux-naïf style is inspired by the iconography of Abidjan's 'Nouchi' graffiti (the term refers to a familiar dialect that is the preferred language of Ivorians in Abidjan), traditional wooden masks, and Vodou. His work is often compared to that of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and his collage-like graffiti-inspired paintings are influenced by Jean Dubuffet.

Aboudia was discovered in 2011 by a German artist, Stefan Meisel, who saw his work on Facebook, bought two paintings, and offered to represent him. Following two exhibitions in London, at the Jack Bell Gallery and then at the Saatchi Gallery, his work was acquired by the Contemporary African Art Collection of Jean Pigozzi (CAAC), the Frank Cohen Collection, and the permanent collection of the Saatchi Gallery, leading to exhibitions worldwide and at art fairs including Art Basel.

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