Pascal Konan
Painter | Ivory Coast
Pascal Konan (1979, Abidjan) is a painter and professor at the Beaux-Arts in Abidjan. His vibrant and expressive works depict the dynamic scenes of African urban life, utilizing a unique blend of techniques to create psychedelic yet structured compositions. Through his art, Konan explores themes of happiness and the human condition, advocating for humanism amidst societal challenges.
Portrait
Pascal Konan, (1979, Abidjan) is a distinguished painter whose artistic journey began in his early years. Recognizing his innate talent, Konan pursued formal education in the arts at the Lycée d’Enseignement Artistique, progressing to earn his artistic baccalaureate. His academic excellence continued at the National School of Fine Arts in Abidjan, where he graduated at the top of his class with a higher diploma (D.E.S.A.) with honors.
Konan chose to blend his passion for art with a commitment to education, becoming a professor of painting at the Beaux-Arts in Abidjan. His artistic oeuvre is deeply rooted in the vibrant and dynamic scenes of daily African life. Utilizing a unique technique that involves random spots transformed into superimposed shapes and contours, his work possesses a psychedelic quality while maintaining a structured composition. Through his paintings, Konan captures the essence of African urban life, reflecting the emotions stirred by the bustling cities—the crowds, the noises, the cultural amalgamation, and the warmth.
As a figurative painter, Pascal Konan's works often delve into the discourse on "happiness and the human condition."
His canvases, rich in shapes, colors, and expressive depth, utilize mixed techniques such as scraping, water painting, and oil painting. This diverse approach allows him to animate his backgrounds and characters with contrasting light and shadow, capturing the essence of forms and beings.
In an era marked by increasing social divides and the degradation of the human condition, Konan's art serves as a powerful advocate for individual action towards realizing humanism. Through his paintings, he not only celebrates a joyful childhood amidst the urban struggles of Abidjan but also calls for a more humane and compassionate world.
Pascal Konan, (1979, Abidjan) is a distinguished painter whose artistic journey began in his early years. Recognizing his innate talent, Konan pursued formal education in the arts at the Lycée d’Enseignement Artistique, progressing to earn his artistic baccalaureate. His academic excellence continued at the National School of Fine Arts in Abidjan, where he graduated at the top of his class with a higher diploma (D.E.S.A.) with honors.
Konan chose to blend his passion for art with a commitment to education, becoming a professor of painting at the Beaux-Arts in Abidjan. His artistic oeuvre is deeply rooted in the vibrant and dynamic scenes of daily African life. Utilizing a unique technique that involves random spots transformed into superimposed shapes and contours, his work possesses a psychedelic quality while maintaining a structured composition. Through his paintings, Konan captures the essence of African urban life, reflecting the emotions stirred by the bustling cities - the crowds, the noises, the cultural amalgamation, and the warmth.
As a figurative painter, Pascal Konan's works often delve into the discourse on "happiness and the human condition."
His canvases, rich in shapes, colors, and expressive depth, utilize mixed techniques such as scraping, water painting, and oil painting. This diverse approach allows him to animate his backgrounds and characters with contrasting light and shadow, capturing the essence of forms and beings.
In an era marked by increasing social divides and the degradation of the human condition, Konan's art serves as a powerful advocate for individual action towards realizing humanism. Through his paintings, he not only celebrates a joyful childhood amidst the urban struggles of Abidjan but also calls for a more humane and compassionate world.
Konan's pieces have been showcased at major exhibitions such as the Dakar Biennale, 1-54 Marrakesh, 1-54 London and AKAA Paris.
Works
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Credentials
2023
- African Art Beats Gallery, United States
- Windsor Gallery, Abuja, Nigeria
2021
- Salle des Casques, Jardin Rouge, Marrakech, Morocco
- Galerie Eureka, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2019
- Galerie Eureka, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2017
- La Rotonde des Arts, Abidjan Plateau, Ivory Coast
2007
- Galerie Art du Temps, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2024
- Côte d’Ivoire est zo, OpenArtExchange, Schiedam (Rotterdam), Netherlands
2023
- ART X, Windsor Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
- 1-54, Gallery 193, London, United Kingdom
- RMB L'Attitude Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Ciel Ouvert, Pyramide 2022, Abidjan Plateau, Ivory Coast
2022
- AKAA Paris, France
- Biennale de Dak’Art, Official Selection of the Ivorian Pavilion
- ARCO Lisboa, International Fair of Portugal
- Baby est Doux, 193 Gallery, Paris, France
2021
- Melrose Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
- 1.54, Jardin Rouge, Marrakech, Morocco
- AfricanArtBeats Gallery, Washington, United States
2019
- Exposition 1.54, Jardin Rouge, Marrakech, Morocco
2016
- Official Selection at the International Contemporary Art Fair of Mali Ségou’Art
- Alliance Française, Pretoria, South Africa
- Homage at the Dakar Biennale, Martini, Switzerland
- Diversity Arts, Nice, France
2014
- Maison d’Aissa Dione, Partcours Dakar, Senegal
- Ivorian Cultural Week, Burkina Faso
- Fondation Donwahi, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2013
- Francophone Games, Nice, France
2012
- IN and OFF, International Biennale of Contemporary African Art, Dakar, Senegal
2010
- BICICI Ami des Arts, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2009
- Francophone Games, Beirut, Lebanon
- Museum of Niamey at the 1st CENSAD Games, Niger
2008
- World Bank, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2001
- Cultural Week of the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d'Ivoire
2023
- Nov - Dec: Fondation Montresso, Jardin Rouge, Marrakech, Morocco
- May - June: Fondation Montresso, Jardin Rouge, Marrakech, Morocco
2021
- Feb - April: Jardin Rouge, Marrakech, Morocco
2019
- Sept - Oct: Halles de Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium
2018
- Oct: Jardin Rouge, Marrakech, Morocco
2017
- Feb: Fondation sur le Niger, Ségou, Mali
2015
- Jan - Sept: Cité Internationale des Arts de Paris
- April: Atelier Juan Angel, Seville, Spain
2016
- Special Jury Prize at the International Contemporary Art Fair of Mali Ségou’Art
2014
- Winner of the Christian Lattier Prize entitling to a residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts de Paris
2012
- Winner of the UEMOA Prize at the 10th Biennale de Dak’Art 2012
2009
- Grand Prix Guy Nairay (Biennale des Jeunes Artistes Plasticiens de Côte d'Ivoire)
- Gold Medal at the 1st CEN-SAD Games in Niamey, Niger
2003
- Special Jury Prize at the Festival de l'Eau
2012
Master 2 in Painting, Insaac, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2004-2006
Certificate of teaching ability for teaching visual arts, Insaac, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2002-2004
Higher Artistic Studies Diploma (Painting), Beaux-Arts, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2000-2002
General Artistic Studies Diploma, Beaux-Arts, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
1997-2000
Baccalaureate, Series H1, Lycée d’Enseignement Artistique, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2023
- Jury Member for the IX Francophone Games, Kinshasa, DR Congo
2022
- Expert and Mentor for the European Support Project for the Culture Sector in Burundi "PASACC-BU"
2016 - 2017
- Deputy Director of Visual Arts, Ministry of Culture and Francophonie
- Collection Fondation Montresso, Marrakech, Morocco
Private Collections:
- Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom