Sebastien Boko
Sculptor | Benin
Sebastien Boko (1984), born into a family of sculptors in Benin, inherited a deep connection to wood, a material his family believes carries both blood and sap. He trained in his father’s workshop in Zogbodomey, refining his craft through collaborations with Dominic Zinkpé and international residencies. Though sculpture remains his primary medium, Boko seamlessly incorporates performance, installations, slam poetry, and music, making his work both diverse and distinctive.
His semi-figurative and abstract sculptures draw on the symbolism of the African Gélèdè culture, reinterpreted through contemporary forms and mixed materials. He combines wood with metal, recycled objects, and symbolic elements like padlocks and chains, often repurposing oil barrels and auto parts to add layers of meaning. This fusion of tradition and modernity gives his sculptures a unique narrative depth.
Boko is widely recognized in Benin and has received several awards. He has participated in numerous international exhibitions and symposiums across France, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, China, Japan, Tanzania, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Togo, and the Netherlands. In 2024, he was featured in Revelation! Contemporary Art from Benin at the Conciergerie in Paris.
Portrait
Sebastien Boko (1984), born and raised in Benin in a family of sculptors, received his artistic formation from his father’s workshop in Zobodomey in Benin, through artistic collaboration with amongst others Dominic ZinkPé and several international residencies. Although sculpture is his main form of artistic expression, Boko doesn’t hesitate to cross over to other forms including performances, installations, slam poetry, and music which explains the diversity and uniqueness of his work.
In his semi-figurative and abstract sculptures he uses often symbolism from the African Gélèdè culture placed in a contemporary setting with a mixture of materials such as wood, metal and symbolistic objects of mixed media including padlocks and sections of chains. He often recycles materials from oil barrels and auto parts.
Boko is well recognised in Benin and received several awards over the past years. He has participated in many international exhibitions and symposiums in France, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, China, Japan, Tanzania, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Togo and the Netherlands.
Sebastien Boko (1984), born and raised in Benin in a family of sculptors, received his artistic formation from his father’s workshop in Zobodomey in Benin, through artistic collaboration with amongst others Dominic ZinkPé and several international residencies. Although sculpture is his main form of artistic expression, Boko doesn’t hesitate to cross over to other forms including performances, installations, slam poetry, and music which explains the diversity and uniqueness of his work.
In his semi-figurative and abstract sculptures he uses often symbolism from the African Gélèdè culture placed in a contemporary setting with a mixture of materials such as wood, metal and symbolistic objects of mixed media including padlocks and sections of chains. He often recycles materials from oil barrels and auto parts.
Boko is well recognised in Benin and received several awards over the past years. He has participated in many international exhibitions and symposiums in France, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, China, Japan, Tanzania, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Togo and the Netherlands.
Works
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Credentials
2022
- RÉSILIENCE, Résidence de l’ambassadeur de L’UNION EUROPÉENNE, Cotonou, Bénin
- NOTARI ART, Chambre des notaires d’Afrique, Cotonou, Bénin
- TRÊVE ET RÊVE, Galerie AS, Cotonou, Bénin
- COTONOU VIBES, Galerie Zato, Cotonou, Bénin
2021
- TRANSCENDANCE, Novotel, Cotonou, Bénin
- MASCARADE, Maison Rouge, Cotonou, Bénin
- L’ART-TRINE, Maison Rouge, Cotonou, Bénin
- BELLE BIBLIOTHÈQUE, Unik lieu de Creation Contemporaine, Abomey, Bénin
2020
- PORTE OUVERTE, Atelier Sébastien Boko, Cotonou, Bénin
- LE MONDE AU FÉMININ, École International du Théâtre du Bénin (EITB), Cotonou
- Artistes du monde 2020, l’Institut Francais de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
- FOCUS, Galerie nationale du Bénin
2019
- Veils, French Institute Cotonou, International Show of Architects, Cotonou
2018
- The Week Red House, Cotonou
- Diplomatic Holiday, At The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Cotonou
2017
- The Echoes Of Lobozounkpa, Arts and Culture Center Of Robert Vallois, Cotonou
2016
- Exhibition – Workshop with Coffi Sètondji and Ludovic Fadairo, 'COP21' Global Warming, French Institute of Cotonou
- Girl In Uniform, French Institute of Cotonou
- 3 Dimensions, Arts and Culture Center of Robert Vallois de Lobozounkpa
- Experimental Cenacle, French Institute of Cotonou
- The Envol, Air France in Cotonou
- Benin Art, Martyrs Square, Cotonou
2013
- Prom’art, Young International, 8th edition Place des Martyrs, Cotonou
2012
- Intense Generation, Red House, Cotonou
- German Cultural Week, Residence of the German Ambassador, Cotonou
- Biennale Regard Benin Density Generation New Unik, Place of contemporary creation in Abomey
- The Drafting, Cotonou
- 3 Arts, Société Générale des Banques, Cotonou
- Ahwan Kpo Do Te, Martyrs Square, Cotonou
2024
- Hello 2024!, OpenArtExchange, Schiedam (Rotterdam), Netherlands
- Revelation! Contemporary art from Benin, Conciergerie, Paris, France
2022
- Ostraka, International sculpture symposium, New Cairo, Egypt
2021
- Fusion, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2020
- Africa Now, OpenArtExchange, Schiedam (Rotterdam), Netherlands
2019
- World Wood Day, Graz, Austria
- Inami, Japan
2018
- International Festival of Plastic Arts, Assouindé, Ivory Coast
- Off Biennal De D’akart, Senegal
2017
- International Sculpture Symposium On Wood, Brienz, Switzerland
2016
- World Wood Day, Odunpazari / Eskisehir Museum, Turkey
- Faiva, African Virtual Artistic Image Festival. Bamako, Mali
2014
- World Wood Day Shanghai, Xianyou, Kunming City, China
2013
- World Wood Day Dar es Salaam, Karimjeem Hallen, Tanzania
2012
- First International Sculpture Symposium on Libreville Wood, National Museum of Libreville, Gabon
2011
- Do It, French Institute of Lomé, Togo
2015
- Price Board of the Agreement: Bénin art, Royal Hotel Cotonou, Benin
2010 & 2013
- Fesnac,1st and 2nd prize National Festival of Arts and Culture, Benin
- Prom’art Young International, 8th Grand Prix of Cotonou Sculpture, Benin
- World Wood Day 'Strongest Content', African Sculptor Award 2013, Dar Es Salam, Tanzania
2012
- Gold Price, National Wood Sculpture Competition, organized by International Wood Culture Society, Cotonou, Benin
2011
- Departmental Festival of Arts And Culture, 1st Prize, Tori, Benin
2024
- Hello 2024!, OpenArtExchange, Schiedam (Rotterdam), Netherlands
2020
- Africa Now, OpenArtExchange, Schiedam (Rotterdam), Netherlands