Charbel Coffi: awakening an artistic conscience at the heart of contemporary art in Benin

Until January 21, 2025, the Novotel Orisha in Cotonou becomes an art sanctuary, hosting a group exhibition featuring two artists from Benin’s contemporary art scene: Charbel Coffi and Virgile Nassara. Entitled “ Facétie des revenants ”, the exhibition offers an immersion into the unique world of Charbel Coffi, where the present and the past come together in a powerful, symbolic visual dialogue. The artist’s works, from his “ Présent vue du Passé ” series, explore the boundaries between abstraction and figuration. Curated by Steven Coffi Adjaï and organized by Charly D’Almeida, this exhibition transcends the classical framework to offer a unique encounter between two committed artistic minds, whose vision sheds light on issues deeply rooted in Beninese and African culture.

A visual exploration of life’s vagaries

Through the works of Charbel Coffi and Virgile Nassara, the public is invited to discover enigmatic abstract figures they call “ faceties ”. These figures, by turns mischievous, ironic or mysterious, take us on a playful exploration of the paradoxes of human life and the contradictions of modern society. Facetiousness, as the two contemporary artists describe it, is the embodiment of mockery and burlesque, while addressing profound themes linked to authority, culture and the human condition. Their offbeat nature is a reminder that the most important truths are often revealed in unexpected ways.

The gestures and words of these facets, expressed with apparent lightness, resonate as a subtle critique of the institutions and norms that govern our lives. Through this prism, the work of Charbel Coffi and Virgile Nassara thwarts the seriousness of established structures, inviting the viewer to rethink reality with a more playful, less conventional eye. The canvases become windows onto a world where derision and satire help to awaken a collective consciousness, through an immersive aesthetic and a message that stimulates the imagination.

Charbel Coffi: a powerful voice for culture and the environment

A deeply committed artist, Charbel Coffi is much more than a creator of shapes and colors. He is an artist who, over the course of his career, has become a spokesman for essential themes such as environmental protection and the promotion of African cultural identity. Born Coffi Toussaint Charbel Houadjeto, he chose to make a name for himself as Charbel Coffi and has devoted his career to redefining the contours of contemporary art.

In 2022, he founded Les Ateliers Coffi, a space dedicated to creation, artistic research and education, offering a unique platform for young artists and art professionals in Benin. His approach is motivated by a desire to share contemporary African art with a wider public, highlighting the values and riches of the continent. Through an innovative, immersive approach, Les Ateliers Coffi aims to make art a vehicle for awareness-raising and societal transformation.

Charbel Coffi ‘s works are distinguished by their ability to create a dialogue between visual elements and deep emotions, inviting the viewer to engage in sincere introspection. Through compositions that oscillate between vivid colors and subtle forms, the Beninese artist expresses his innermost thoughts, emotions and beliefs. For him, each canvas is a window onto his inner world, a space where he explores the mysteries of existence, the interplay of light and shadow, and the complex relationship between man and nature.

Her works, imbued with stories and symbols, feature a tapestry of visual metaphors that evoke both ancient myths and current concerns in Benin and around the world. The shimmering colors, bold lines and abstract shapes of his canvases captivate the eye, transporting the viewer into a universe where every detail has profound meaning. As a creator, Charbel Coffi draws on the roots of his culture while tackling universal themes, offering an artistic vision that is both rooted in and open to the world.

Growing recognition on the Beninese and international art scenes

Recognized for his talent and artistic sensitivity, Charbel Coffi has made his mark on the Beninese art scene. His solo exhibitions, such as “ Le présent vue du passé ‘ at the Novotel in Cotonou and ’ Mille et une Pensées ” at theInstitut Français in Cotonou, have attracted public and critical attention for their depth and originality. Her work has also been featured in group shows, such as the traveling exhibition “ DIG WHERE YOU STAND ” at the Musée Fondation Zinsou in Ouidah, confirming her place among Benin’s most promising emerging artists.

The contemporary artist ‘s commitment to social and environmental causes is also reflected in his participation in artistic projects that tackle global issues such as climate change. His series “ Changement climatique, l’expression de l’univers” (Climate change, the expression of the universe ), presented at the Villa Karo Museum and at the Festival International des Arts du Bénin, highlights his concern to raise public awareness of the ecological challenges of our time.

An artist rooted in his time and place

Charbel Coffi doesn’t just create to exhibit; he creates to awaken, inspire and transform. In each of his works, he manages to capture the essence of his time while honoring the traditions and spirituality of his culture. His paintings reflect his personal questions, his hopes for the future, and his vision of the role art can play in awakening consciences.

The recurring themes of his work – identity, memory, nature and social critique – make him an alchemist of emotions, an artist capable of transcending cultural and geographical barriers to touch the soul of his audience.

While his creations continue to light up galleries and arouse intense emotions, the Beninese artist reveals himself to be much more than an artist: he is a ferryman of memory, and a builder of bridges between past and present, between the local and the universal. He embodies the creative impetus driving contemporary Africa, a desire to rethink art as a means of understanding, educating and inspiring.

Through his works and his commitments, he reminds us that art is a vector for change, a tool for social transformation and an invitation to reflect on the world. In a globalized context of growing interest in African art, he is helping to redefine perspectives, demonstrating that contemporary African art is not just a legacy, but a dynamic, ever-evolving movement that resonates far beyond Benin’s borders.

Her work, which combines emotional depth and ethical commitment, invites us to rediscover the beauty of the world and the strength of our shared humanity. The “ Facétie des revenants ” exhibition at the Novotel Orisha in Cotonou is a unique opportunity to plunge into his universe and to apprehend art as a mirror of our times, illuminating new paths for the future of African artistic creation.