ABDOULAYE GANDEMA, who will be present in Chalais on August 9 and 10 for a demonstration at the Salon des Métiers d’Art, grew up in an environment where art and creativity are omnipresent.
Hosted in Barbezieux during his stay in France, Burkinab …
ABDOULAYE GANDEMA, who will be present in Chalais on August 9 and 10 for a demonstration at the Salon des Métiers d’Art, grew up in an environment where art and creativity are omnipresent.
Hosted in Barbezieux during his stay in France, Burkinabé was present this weekend in Echallarts, in Rouillacais.
His father, Mamadou Gandema, is a renowned sculptor, known for having initiated a new era of bronze sculpture in Burkina Faso. In this environment conducive to artistic development, Abdoulaye Gandema discovers the world of sculpture very early on. “I can say that I fell into it from my birth. Since the age of 7 I have worked bronze with my father ”.
“Release the wax for the benefit of bronze to 1,200 degrees. »»
From 15 years old, Abdoulaye Gandema made a daring decision when leaving school to devote himself entirely to sculpture. This initiative, far from being an abandonment, is in reality the choice of a destiny, that of a man who ardently wishes to appropriate family heritage and develop his own artistic ideas. His first exhibition at 18 years old marks the start of a promising career, affirming his artistic identity while paying tribute to the family tradition.
At the heart of his work is the technique of lost wax, a process old of several millennia.
Asked about his technique, he explains: “I sculpt the wax model and covers it with clay and droppings. The mold is thus heated to release wax for the benefit of bronze to 1,200 degrees. I practice a work of chopping and patina with oxides and pigments that give life to the works. »»
The woman recurring theme
One of the recurring themes in the work of Abdoulaye Gandema is the representation of the woman, whom he interprets from various angles. Whether through her vision of the liberated woman or by her exploration of the historical and social roles attributed to women in her country, Abdoulaye Gandema manages to capture the very essence of femininity.
His sculptures are not content to reproduce forms; They tell stories and express emotions, offering a reflection on the female condition in Burkina Faso. “In a world where women are often represented in a stereotypical way, I wanted to reverse this trend by producing works that celebrate strength, beauty and female resilience” explains the one whose sculptures become emblems of pride and emancipation, while carrying in them a part of the history and identity of its people.
Beyond the aesthetics, the art of Abdoulaye Gandema is also a means of social commitment. By approaching themes such as social justice, historical memory and cultural identity, he gives a voice to often ignored struggles.
Convinced by the idea that art can serve as a bridge between communities and arouse collective reflections on contemporary issues, the artist will not hesitate this weekend in Chalais to share not only his works, his know-how but also the history and traditions of his country. “These exchanges contribute to a mutual enrichment, both for me and for spectators, generating an intercultural dialogue essential in our time” testifies the bronzier.