The art scene in Abidjan
In the 1970s and 1980s, young artists trained at Abidjan’s fine arts school founded the Vohou-Vohou movement, which championed local materials such as bark, sand and natural pigments. The approach left a lasting mark on Ivorian painting and still echoes in work made today. In the Plateau district, the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d’Ivoire presents masks, sculpture and objects from the country’s many cultures.
In Cocody, the Fondation Donwahi for contemporary art organizes exhibitions and talks, and several contemporary galleries have opened in that neighbourhood and in Marcory. INSAAC, the national institute of arts and cultural action, trains many of the artists on today’s scene. The Abidjan Performing Arts Market (MASA) also regularly enlivens the city’s cultural life. An hour’s drive away, the historic town of Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to artisans and studios.
On Artblr, you can discover Abidjan artists and contact them directly. Ask about a piece, discuss shipping to Canada or Europe, or plan a studio visit. That direct contact carries no commission.
- Museum of Civilizations of Côte d’Ivoire, Plateau
- Fondation Donwahi, Cocody
- Vohou-Vohou movement legacy
- Grand-Bassam
