From May 11th to 31st, 2023, 29 galleries and art centers in Paris and Ile-de-France are offering to discover contemporary African art through “the Traversées African” artistic journey. Among the artists exhibited, is the Togolese Clay Apenouvon, a visual artist who claims affiliation with the Frenchman Pierre Soulages or the Bulgarian Christo. His work from black plastic film earned him international recognition.
Clay Apenouvon asked himself if he could stretch the stretchable “film noir” from reality to fantasy.
This film noir with which he wraps his characters, which he braids, with golden threads symbolizes in his eyes our industrial era. “One day, I made the categorical choice to go to the other side, to put materials that are not made for making art, says Clay Apenouvon. 50 years ago, the materials we have today did not exist. Today, I have to involve him in my work. Because if these materials existed before, the artists would have used them”.
This black plastic, extracted from the depths of the earth like its counterpart, black gold or oil, serves as a powerful allegory for the African experience. It symbolizes the African man, subjected to brutalization, manipulation, and transformation. With eyes closed, the artist sees “film noir” as a portrayal of black genocide and the pervasive violence endured by black individuals, whether on the African continent or in Western societies.
Within Clay Apenouvon’s works, this political message is amplified by the captivating allure of artistic beauty. The artist skillfully intertwines anger and beauty, creating a poignant juxtaposition that compels viewers to contemplate the harsh realities faced by black people. Each piece carries a profound depth, resonating with the struggles and resilience of an entire community.