Angèle Etoundi Essamba - Artist Spotlight

The powerful work of Angèle Etoundi Essamba breaks away from conventional and narrow portrayals of African culture. Her aesthetic denotes a complex vision of contemporary Africa and the empowerment of black women. 

 

Click here to explore more works by Angèle Etoundi Essamba

 

 

Essamba, born in Douala, Cameroon in 1962 and later educated in France, is committed to producing art which reflects the identity of black women. Incorporating the essence of humanist photography, Essamba expresses her central values of communication through women. Rather than portraying a stereotypical vision of the war and epidemics of Africa, Essamba makes the powerful decision to recognise the beauty of this continent.

 

 

Following her completion of a degree at the Nederlandse Fotovakschool (Dutch School for Professional Photography), Essamba settled in Amsterdam. Her education in the field of photography has informed her artistic practice, allowing her to express the complex messages underpinning her subjects. 

 

 

Her first exhibition took place in 1985, she has since exhibited globally. Her work has been displayed in museums, galleries, cultural institutions and art fairs across Africa, Europe, America, Latin America and Asia. From UNESCO, Paris in 2006 to Venice Biennale in 2022, Essamba’s work has been highlighted in a varied selection of important events and exhibitions. The photography featured in Essamba’s portfolio is currently held in multiple prestigious collections, both private and public, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Hood Museum Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and the World Bank Art Programme. 

 

 

Essamba’s work constructs a beautiful fusion between traditional African imagery and a contemporary aesthetic. Her models often exude a sense of pride, opulence and regal sophistication, which celebrates the richness of African culture. This can be identified throughout her pieces, particularly Renaissan-ce 1, 2019. These striking images also convey the diversity across the African continent.

 

 

The imagery created by Essamba often focuses on the confident and bold gazes of her subjects. This is predominantly expressed through the intricate use of juxtaposed shadows and light, as exemplified by Noir 11, 2000. Other pieces in Essamba’s collection, such as Coulisses de la féminité 8, 2019, implement colour to convey an impactful expression of vibrancy and empowerment. Her techniques enable her to position her work at the intersection between social or gender based issues and artistic expression.

 

 

She also strongly values the portrayal of connection and interaction within her work. Her compositions, such as Affirmation de soi, 2019 and Tableau vivant, 2019, express the strength of unified women. This reflects her key values of female pride and strength. She is interested in the qualities which are radiated from a collaborative group of women.

 

 

Essamba states that her practice centres around a sense of reflection on the identity of the African woman. She ultimately seeks to empower this figure through her fine art photography. 
 

Click here to explore more works by Angèle Etoundi Essamba