Art Gallery: Romuald Hazoumé

Four portfolios from Benin's master artist

share this article

All reproductions courtesy October Gallery
An extensive selection is shown here of the work of Romuald Hazoumé, the Benin contemporary artist whose iconic masks made from petrol canisters dumped around his poverty-stricken homeland of Benin launched his international career. A major installation is owned by the British Museum, other pieces have been exhibited in the Saatchi and Hayward Galleries. Read the article on him by Sue Steward. Click on a picture to enter each section.

Masks

(Photos Jonathan Greet. Images courtesy October Gallery, London)

  • Sénégauloise, 2009, Found objects, 33 x 22 x 25cm. .
  • La Meré Cotivet, 2001, Found objects, 44 x 15 x 12cm
  • Liberté, 2009, Found objects, 31 x 51 x 25cm
  • Bye Bye, 2009, Found objects, 33 x 18 x 22cm
  • Porc & Punk, 2009, Found objects, 40 x 10 x 21cm
[bg|/ART/sue_steward/hazoume/masks]

iFa paintings

(Photos Jonathan Greet/October Gallery)

  • Acadja, 2009, Acrylic and earth pigment on canvas, 126 x 158cm.
  • Avanti, 2009, Acrylic and earth pigment on canvas, 154 x 130 cm.
  • Extraction, 2009, Acrylic and earth pigment on canvas, 120 x 140 cm
  • Humain Ba, 2009, Acrylic and earth pigment on canvas, 126 x 170 cm
[bg|/ART/sue_steward/hazoume/ifa]


MIP

  • Made in Porto-Novo, 2009, Found objects installation, 210 x 300 x 150cm. (Photo Jonathan Greet/October Gallery)
  • Made in Porto-Novo (detail of double bass), 2009 (Photo Romuald Hazoumé)
  • Made in Porto-Novo (detail of drums), 2009
[bg|/ART/sue_steward/hazoume/MIP]

Kpayoland & La Bouche du Roi

  • Roulette Béninoise, 2004, Baryte print, 120 x 80cm.
  • Twin Airbags, 2004, C-type digital print, 80 x 120 cm.
  • Avion de Terre, 2004, C-type digital print, 120 x 80 cm.
  • La Bouche du Roi, 1997-2005, Installation – Sound and mixed media. (Photo Georges Hixson. Image courtesy The British Museum, London.)
[bg|/ART/sue_steward/hazoume/kpayoland]

Romuald Hazoumé: Made in Porto-Novo, October Gallery, London WC1N 3AL. Until 28 November. Information here.



rating

0

share this article

Support the future of arts journalism

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thanks so much for choosing genuinely independent arts journalism theartsdesk’s mission has never been more important – in an age of relentless algorithmic recommendation, sponsored content and unreliable AI, the expertise and discernment of individual critics deeply embedded in their specialist areas is absolutely vital.

If you want more of that in your life, why not subscribe now?

If you do this before the 31st August, you’ll be able to keep at this “founders rate” for life: your subs will never increase! You can choose to subscribe annually for just £40 simply click here
or monthly for £5 per month simply click here.

Not ready to subscribe?

If you want to support with a little extra or aren’t ready to subscribe just yet, there’s also the option to give direct to our crowdfunder to support our imminent redesign and exciting expansion with new features and collaborations Simply contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d.

However you choose to be involved, you can proudly say that you are picking the right side in the battle for truth and humanity in the modern information landscape. And we will be very glad to have you on board!

more visual arts

Much-appreciated words of commendation from readers and the cultural community
Ritualistic performances and evocations of fertility goddesses
An inventive and uplifting programme of sculpture, live music, dance and spoken word
The mood is blue, but profundity is in short supply
A frieze of iPad pictures that sends you hurrying for the door