Ousmane Sow, or the art of promoting ethnic groups through sculpture

The artist sculptor Ousmane Sow was born far from Europe, where cultural excitement It is permanent, where careers are generally made and unmade according to the rhythm of trends or times. Its cradle is in Africa.

Childhood and youth of the sculptor

In 1935, Dakar, a family welcomes a new child. The newborn is baptized Ousmane. Very young, he demonstrated a curiosity about natural to with regard to humans, animals, textures and, little by little, little, of art as such. As soon as he succeeds in an age that allows him to handle things at a high level. using malleable materials as he pleases, Ousmane Sow begins to create materials. sculpt. He nourished this passion during his childhood, remained faithful to it during his adolescence and allowed him to evolve to new heights. adulthood. His art, so to speak, grows with him. Nevertheless, even if he spends a lot of time at work. shaping his sculptures, the young Ousmane initially took a completely different path to build his adult life. His studies should lead him to the profession of Physiotherapy.

Change of course

By studying the careers of many artists, it is clear that most of them devoted themselves body and soul toart, without pursuing a side career in parallel. For Ousmane Sow, the story turns out to be totally different. He passed throughout his professional life serving others, as a physiotherapist. Only after blowing his fifty candles that his life changes. Retirement approaching big step, the artist sculptor projects himself into the future and wonders about what his life will be like without his busy days in a medical office. The response will not take long. to come: sculpture will henceforth be its leitmotif. When he ceases his activity; As a physiotherapist, he can devote himself completely to his work. his childhood passion: sculpture.

A personal representation of the man

Each artist feels the world around them in a very intimate, powerful and very personal way. Ousmane Sow is no exception. Its main subject of astonishment, questioning and study is none other than this strange and complex being that we call: man. The concept of ethnicity fascinates the sculptor. The latter then launches into various large-scale projects, taking the form of series of thematic sculptures. Sometimes, he transcribes through sculpture the specificities of the ethnic groups of Africa, sometimes his gaze turns towards Europe and this inevitably gives a very distinctive result, but still fascinating.

An artist who draws on international culture

 Like many sculptors and painters before him, Ousmane Sow draws on multiple influences to develop his own style. So, on a daily basis, his inspiration also comes from:

• various cinematographic works,
• photography,
• ethnology.

All these powerful supports allow him to deepen his already existing knowledge. vast. This is why these sculptures seem to have the breath of life. These sources of inspiration also instill valuable knowledge in him. In his hands, he creates realistic beings, full of varied emotions, frozen in movements of great power or immense serenity.

Great moving beings

Ousmane Sow does an impressive job. His sculptures represent human beings, sculpted slightly larger to impose their presence, if that is necessary. Each new character comes from the imagination of the artist. He sculpts instinct, giving free rein to his creativity. He never takes a model. Its beings are unique.

1980: the "Nouba"

Each series of sculptures by the artist is awaited with impatience and fervor. However, one of them finally establishes its authority. in this matter. These are his works brought together in a collection called "Nouba". Featuring African peoples, it pays a poignant tribute to the people of Africa. its own culture. Europe meets Africa, through art and the result is magnificent. Ousmane Sow creates a sensation, awakens curiosities and opens minds.

Little Big Horn

After having valued traditional African culture, Ousmane turns towards the American Indians. Once again, he succeeds; enter the intensity of a people, through a gesture, a look, a frozen movement; in time. With his creation, representing his vision of the Battle of Little Big Horn, the sculptor has captured the attention of the world.

Consecration

From 1987, the sculptor artist was asked to work on his work. permanently and his work finds itself exposed to the public. throughout the world.

• 1987: exhibition at Dakar, at the cultural center,
• 1993: his art is exported to Germany, abroad. the Kassel Documenta,
• 1995: he participated in the centenary of the Venice Biennale, exhibiting at the Palazzo Grassi,
• 1999: Ousmane Sow presents his works on the Pont des Arts, in the French capital. There are more than three million visitors to this exhibition,
• 1999: this same year, his work is presented in the gallery. at the Whitney Museum in New York.

The emblematic works of Ousmane Sow

Art enthusiasts, visitors of the time, as much as critics, everyone retains an idea The precise details of his exhibition "Nouba". However, his overall work is not limited to this single series of sculptures. It is important to remember achievements such as:

• ses Massaï, presented in 1988,
• the Zulus, exhibited in 1991,
• the Peuhl, who came to life in 1993,
• its 35 sculptures remembering, his way, the Battle of Little Big Horn, in 1999,
• various bronzes presented in 2001, at the Fonderies de Coubertin and at the Fonderies Susse,
• "The runner on the starting line", currently installed in at the Olympic Games Museum in Paris. Lausanne,
• his sculpture of Victor Hugo, created in 2002, on order from the association "Médecins du Monde".

Victor Hugo was the first famous character to be entitled to a sculpture by Ousmane Sow. His other characters coming straight from his imagination, this is a sculpture by him. an important step in its creative process. After Victor Hugo, the artist repeated the experience several times, notably representing:

• Nelson Mandela,
• Gandhi,
• Mohammed Ali,
• General De Gaulle,
• Martin Luther King.

His most personal work remains his representation of a character just as important to himself. his eyes: his father.

The artist died on December 1, 2016, in his native land, Senegal.

Ousmane Sow said...

Among his most famous quotes is this one:

"Art can only thrive on peace. The artist can continue to work in conflict situations, but he cannot have the pretension of getting people interested in what he does."