A new era for Cécile Fakhoury Gallery: Aboudia inaugurates new Paris premises

A loyal supporter of the contemporary African art scene, Cécile Fakhoury Gallery has moved into a new artistic space, occupying 200m2 on the 1st floor of 104 street, Faubourg Saint Honoré, Paris 8eme. This expansion fits harmoniously into the landscape of established Parisian galleries. Inaugurated on April 23, 2024 with an exhibition by Ivorian artist Aboudia entitled ” Impossible n’est pas ivoirien “, Cécile Fakhoury’s new artistic showcase is equipped with offices, a storeroom and an artist’s studio, perfectly in line with the dynamics of established Parisian galleries. Ideally located between Avenue Matignon and Place Beauveau, close to the Hotel Bristol, this new space offers a new address for appreciating the splendor of contemporary African art in France.

After three years of sustained involvement in the art world, Cécile Fakhoury Gallery has enabled the artists it represents to shine on the French and European scene. Paris thus becomes a privileged link between the gallery’s historic exhibition spaces in Abidjan and Dakar. This new space is an extension of the gallery’s vision and identity, resolutely forward-looking and committed to bringing the African and European art scenes closer together.

The company’s commitment to artists is reflected in new directions, notably through a publishing program that will be enriched in 2024 by books dedicated to artists such as Binta Diaw, Aboudia, Souleymane Keita, Ouattara Watts and Roméo Mivekannin. In the meantime, contemporary African artist Aboudia’s exhibition “Impossible n’est pas ivoirien” illuminates the new premises of Cécile Fakhoury Gallery in Paris.

Aboudia at Cécile Fakhoury Gallery in Paris: an immersion in the popular streets of the Ivory Coast

The exhibition of new works by American-Ivorian artist Aboudia, entitled “Impossible n’est pas ivoirien“, is on show at Cécile Fakhoury Gallery until May 23, 2024, in its new space at 104 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. This exhibition is accompanied by the launch of the artist’s first monograph, co-edited by the gallery in collaboration with Smooth Nzewi (curator at the Moma) and Gauz (Ivorian author and screenwriter), published by Editions Rizzoli.

Aboudia draws his inspiration from the aesthetics of graffiti found on the walls of Abidjan, particularly in the working-class neighborhoods of Abobo, Yopougon and Treichville, to bear witness to daily life in Ivory Coast’s bustling economic and cultural capital. The title of the exhibition, “ Impossible n’est pas ivoirien “, refers to Ivory Coast’s recent victory in the African Cup of Nations, while symbolizing the artist’s persevering state of mind throughout his career, from his beginnings in Abidjan to his international renown.

Aboudia’s works, imbued with pure energy, illustrate the resilience of Abidjan’s inhabitants and continue to denounce injustice, particularly as regards the condition of urban children and young people. With ” Impossible n’est pas ivoirien “, he invites the Parisian public to immerse themselves in this new space created by Cécile Fakhoury Gallery, and to discover in images the beauty and uniqueness of the popular streets of Ivory Coast.