Discarded gasoline canisters form the basis of a mask series that Romuald Hazoumè initiated in the mid-1980s. Born in 1962 in Porto-Novo, Benin, the visual artist and sculptor utilizes recycled materials to construct his installations. His practice involves returning the waste of consumer culture back to the West, challenging perceptions through re-appropriated discarded objects.
Artistic Methodology and Materials
Hazoumè, a Yoruba artist from the Republic of Benin, works exclusively with recycled components. His output spans painting, photography, and installation art. By collecting refuse that permeates his environment, he addresses the global movement of goods and waste. This focus on repurposed objects serves as a primary critique of contemporary consumer societies.
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The artist gained significant recognition for La Bouche du Roi, a detailed installation that reinterprets the 1789 image of the slave ship Brookes. The piece appeared in numerous international exhibitions, including at the Musée du quai Branly in Paris and the British Museum in London. It served as a major contribution to the centenary remembrance of the Slave Trade Act 1807.
International Exhibition History
His work has appeared in solo and group shows globally since the early 1990s. Notable solo presentations include exhibitions at the October Gallery in London, the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, and the Gerisch-Stiftung in Neumünster. He also participated in large-scale group exhibitions, such as the Africa Remix tour, which traveled to venues including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, and the Johannesburg Art Gallery.
Professional Recognition
Hazoumè has received multiple honors for his contributions to contemporary art. In 2007, he was awarded the Arnold-Bode-Preis during documenta 12 in Kassel. He also received the George-Maciunas-Preis in Wiesbaden in 1996 and was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2021. His works have been included in collections such as the Jean Pigozzi collection.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Porto-Novo, Benin
- Citizenship: Benin
- Occupations: photographer, painter, sculptor, visual artist, installation artist
- Major Work: La Bouche du Roi
- Notable Series: Mask series
- Language: French
- Award: Arnold-Bode-Preis (2007)
- Award: Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (2021)
Questions readers ask
What materials does Romuald Hazoumè use in his art?
He uses recycled materials exclusively, including discarded gasoline canisters.
What is the subject of his installation La Bouche du Roi?
It is a reworking of the 1789 image of the slave ship Brookes.
