Last weekend we opened the beautiful duo solo exhibition Garden of Eden, with works from the Beninese artist Sanda Amadou and the Parisien artist Antoine Janot. Both artists were there to discuss their works (see also their interview with JW TV https://youtu.be/pLWxv3ZnHM4). Below some photo impressions. Garden of Eden remains to be seen till 4 December.

About Garden of Eden

In Garden of Eden, Amadou and Janot contemplate that seemingly unattainable place full of longing, where beauty and perfection meet the sacred, the spiritual, the unity of our humanity. This precious place, vulnerable, crucial to the roots of our existence, worth protecting, shielding, canonizing as a hidden safe haven, accessible only to insiders, those who know how to act with love, care and respect. That results in an intriguing and poetic dialogue between non-Western and Westen perspectives.

Amadou creates 3D sacred spiritual places in ancient forests with painted synthetic hair braids placed in architectural abstract compositions on canvas filled with symbolism inspired by pastoral nomadic Fulani culture. A culture still existing in sub-Sahel countries, but being threatened in its very existence with the continuing break down of wild natural areas. Or he sculpts these sacred painted hair braids forests growing from pedestals or protruding from the wall, as a metaphor to call for the canonisation of nature in order to protect it from those who have not learned to respect, care and protect. To call for a much needed rebalancing between humans and Mother Nature as the vital and spiritual source of humanity.  

Janot turns to the interior and questions the concept of paradise. Is it this intimate, vulnerable, spiritual place inside that we can only share with our very close loved ones, or have we closed the gates of our souls and lost this vital capacity to connect? And what is awaiting us at the end of the road? That results in dreamlike, semi-abstract watercolours and acrylic on paper and canvas, mixed with ink and drawing techniques. Philosophical strands of thought, poetic images with a hint of melancholy. His “Dreamweaver” and “#Looking for Paradise” installations wonder whether we are left to just build our fake paradise on social media: Fluttering daydreams about the perfect life we long for behind our screens. 

Welcome to our Garden of Eden, what about yours?