Galerie Christophe Person is pleased to present “Afroglitch“, a group exhibition rich in color and artistic innovation. It brings together immersive, lively works by contemporary artists Jourdan Tchoffo from Cameroon, Raymond Tsham from the DRC and John-Baptist Sekubulwa from Uganda. Until October 14, the Paris contemporary art space gives free rein to the artistic talent of its contemporary artists.
The word “glitch“, part of the exhibition title, is an English term of Yiddish origin, literally meaning “slippery zone“. In today’s context, it is a widespread expression in the digital domain, frequently used to interpret an error in a structured system, such as the brief failure of a computer. Comparable to a computer system bug, the occurrence of such an anomaly gives rise to an unfolding of autonomous actions performed by the computer. Although unexpected, this bug manifests itself as a random visual display of discordantly-colored, aggressive images scrolling across the screen, often accompanied by a high-pitched sound.
To return to the precise theme of the exhibition, its title sounds like a metaphor for the destabilizing impact of artistic creation, which plays at surprising the expectations held in the art world. This remark is mainly aimed at African artists whose unbridled imagination has had a glitch effect on the ecosystem of contemporary Western art. The “Afroglitch” exhibition is a tribute to these digital bugs, with visual artists such as Jourdan Tchoffo, Raymond Tsham and John-Baptist Sekubulwa ingeniously short-circuiting the norms of the contemporary art system.
The exhibition at the French art space represents an opportunity for the trio of artists to take a disruptive artistic approach to the global art world. The gamble paid off, with an explosion of colors and techniques offering a striking visual insight. The artists surprise the public with their use of a diversified color palette, combining pastel tones and cheerful strokes to instill all the tenderness and gentleness that emanates from African realities. From this new vision, they project images that disrupt stereotypical views that associate Africa with sad, violent realities where a phenomenon such as glitch was uncertain.
Jourdan Tchoffo
Born in 1994 in Bafoussam, Cameroon, Jourdan Tchoffo Kuete is one of the rising generation of African artists concerned with black portraiture and social realism.In his unique artistic practice, he aesthetically blends the heritage of modern African white-and- black photography championed by pioneers of African history such as James Barnor, Seydou Keïta and Philippe Koudjina, among others.Through meticulously colored canvases inspired by colonial African architecture and classic Americana, his portraits convey a sense of nostalgia, at the heart of his artistic message.He emphasizes the importance of family values today, and presents education as the essential gear for a better society.
Jourdan Tchoffo Kuete adopts a hybrid artistic creation process, drawing inspiration from various elements such as pop art or the great Chinese cycle of the 1970s by Icelandic painter Errö.Sometimes, the artist’s works seem to engage in a contemporary dialogue with the composite creations of Nigerian star Nijdeka Akuyili Crosby, or with the interior scenes of Ugandan artist Ian Mwesiga.
Raymond Tsham
A talented draughtsman, Ryamond Tsham dazzles the public with his works created with a ballpoint pen.Born in 1963 in Lubunz, Kasaï Oriental in the DRC, this contemporary artist uses a simple black bic to draw on canson paper, masks and statuettes from the Congo and elsewhere. Twenty years later, he gradually introduced color into his artistic practice. Colored pencils and watercolors were used to embellish the backgrounds of these creations and highlight the visual impact of some of the figures. Ryamond Tsham also dabbles in painting, unveiling bold, narrative pictures.However, his preferred field remains drawing and the homage of African statuary. With refinement, he celebrates the past with the contemporary, giving his creations a unique character.
John-Baptist Sekubulwa
The Ugandan artist’s artistic practice focuses on the development of a symbolic visual lexicon. An experienced painter, John-Baptist Sekubulwa uses his art to criticize and debate issues of global socio-political injustice.
Through a biting sense of humor, his artistic practice deals with a wide range of societal issues, including links with the colonial past. Behind the irony of his works lies a genuine subject for dialogue, in which the public is invited to participate.