DIMITRI FAGBOHOUN – TRACKING MEMORY.
By Nii B. Andrews
Dimitri Fagbohoun takes on the arduous task of tackling memory in all its manifestations – personal, intimate, public and collective.
His method involves focusing on classical traditional African artwork, mainly sequestered in famous museums in Europe and North America, and examining how these pieces have influenced Western art practice in the current epoch.
The art works have a disruptive tendency by shredding the admitted models and guidelines used to define identities and history.
In this approach, Fagbohoun searches for the collective “we” that will provide continued universal harmony.
The series is called “RECOLLECTION”; it commenced in 2014.
It has been very well received and has resulted in the award of a Smithsonian Fellowship to the artist in 2017.
Fagbohoun has a warm and engaging personality; he is of Beninois and Ukrainian parentage and was brought up in the Cameroon and Europe.
His work involves painting, sculpture, video, photography and installation, all in a consummate attempt at utilizing an incisive poetic language to distill for the viewer the essence of Recollection and memory.
**All images are courtesy of the artist.