Julien Degan (1962) is a self-taught painter and sculptor from Benin. As an educator and a concerned and committed artist, he primarily works with non-biodegradable materials and wood waste.

Originating from the village of Tindji in the Za-Kpota commune, Julien was born on January 9, 1962, in Cotonou. His first exhibition, titled “Les Arts Rudologique” (1998, at the headquarters of the NGO ENDA Tiers Monde), emphasized the utility of art by infusing it with an expressive dimension.

Degan deepened and broadened his artistic career following encounters with artist Gregory Warmack (“Mr Imagination”) in Chicago (United States of America) and Cotonou, resulting in two exhibitions: one in Chicago and one in Cotonou. Subsequently, Julien Degan exhibited his works in collective and individual exhibitions in Cotonou, Bohicon, Abomey, Porto Novo (Benin), Luxembourg, Brussels, and Ganvié (Benin).

To create his works, he uses bottles, caps, pieces of wood (often partially burned), paper, and paint, with wood taking a predominant place. For about ten years, he has been reclaiming pieces of teak wood, rejects from Chinese industries that contribute to the deforestation of Benin’s plant cover. 

Degan notably uses the “yaki sugi” or “shou sugi” burned wood technique, a technique of Japanese origin for the natural protection of wood.

Among his recent works, the wall sculptures stand out. We recognize the life of the wood and the suffering of the tree beneath the signs, symbols, and other drawings he places there – signs and symbols drawn from cultures of the world, particularly from Africa. Apart from his works created with waste, Julien Degan also works with more conventional techniques such as paintings on canvas, panel, and paper.

With these works, he aims to raise awareness among humans “who are the greatest predators” about the harmful consequences of their management of the environment and its resources.

Solo & duo exhibitions

2020

• COVID-19 BLUES, Bohicon Restaurant-bar RACINE

2016

• Site Archéologique d’Agongointo, Bohicon Bénin
• Siège FUPRO-Bénin Bohicon 

2015

• Hôtel des Princes Bohicon Bénin 

2014

• Site Archéologique d’Agongointo, Bohicon Bénin 

2013

• Journée Internationale des Musées, Site Archéologique d’Agongointo, Bohicon
  Bénin 

2012

• Journée Internationale des Musées, Site Archéologique d’Agongointo, Bohicon
  Bénin

2002

• Hôtel Cafés Cauris Coquillages, Togbin, Cotonou 

2001

• Marina Hôtel

1998

• Les Arts Rudologiques de Julien DEGAN, Siège de l’ONG ENDA Tiers-Monde àCotonou​
  

Group exhibitions

2023

• Down to earth, OpenArtExchange, The Netherlands

2023

• Intersection avec Thierno DIALLO (Mali), résidence de l’Ambassadeur des PaysBas au Bénin

2019

• Journée Internationale des Arts Plastiques, Ganvié, Bénin

2018

• Dokountin #4, Mairie de Bohicon Fresque Mural en collaboration avec des
  artistes belges.

2017

• Artists Club/ Coffe-fort, BRUSSELS Dokountin #9

2011

• Grenier du moulin Beckerich Luxembourg

2010

• Education et citoyenneté, Centre OUADADA Porto-Novo, Bénin

2008

• 40ème Anniversaire du corps de la PAIX, Centre Culturel Américain
• Rencarts, Place Lénine / CCF / ARTISTIK BENIN
• Art et Vodoun, Musée d’Abomey

2006

• Du passé à une ère nouvelle, Musée d’Abomey

2005

• NUBASO, Médiathèque des Diasporas Cotonou, Bénin

2004

• Mélange, Centre Culturel Américain

2003

• Bras de fer pour la sauvegarde de l’environnement, Médiathèque des Diasporas
  Cotonou, Bénin
• Festival Gospel et Racine, Palais des Congrès Cotonou, Bénin

2001

• Les Réminiscences Vodoun dans l’art contemporain au Bénin et dans les
  Amériques, avec Nancy Josephson, Centre Culturel Américain Cotonou

2000

• Mélange avec feu Grégory Warmack de Chicago USA, Centre Culturel Américain,
  Cotonou
• EPARS, Médiathèques des Diasporas, Cotonou

1999

• House of Blues Hôtel, Chicago Illinois, USA
• Fête de Vodoun, Musée d’Histoire de OUIDAH

1998

• Dialogue pour un monde meilleur, Centre Culturel Américain Cotonou, Bénin

Artist in Residencies