Sculptor extraordinaire of the human body, Ousmane Sow (b. 1935, Dakar) infuses his creations with potent life force and raw energy. Inspired by Riefenstahl’s photos of the Nuba, he abandoned his career as a physiotherapist, invented new techniques and materials, and created The Nuba, a group of muscular, virile, larger-than-life wrestlers (1984-87). Monumental representations of The Masai (1989) and The Zulus (1990) followed, and in 1992 his work was selected for Documenta IX. Turning to global narrative, he produced a massive tableau of The Battle of Little Big Horn (1998). Audacious in size, Sow’s figures are modelled with proportional volume and anatomical detail, creating energy in frozen movement and strong human presence. The powerful physicality of 68 of his figures exhibited on the Pont des Arts in Paris (1999), astonished the world and led to commissions from the International Olympic Committee and the Medecins du Monde.
Coming from a vacuum of representation of the African body and raising anxious ghosts of racism, Sow’s sculptures boldly confront stereotypes, representing the body without qualms. They carry a message of tolerance and humanity.
Ousmane Sow is awarded for his powerful sculptures of the human body, for his inspirational celebration of the African body, and for challenging the international art world and influencing young generations of artists.
Ousmane Sow with one of his sculptures
Detail of Sow's 'Guerrier Debout'
Site Ousmane Sow: http://www.ousmanesow.com
EXHIBITIONS:
FRANCE:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr
A PONT D’ART, PARIS, 1999: http://www.dailymotion.com/video
CANADA:
http://www.absolutearts.com
SENEGAL PHOTOS:
http://www.senegal-online.com
VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH SOW IN FRENCH
http://www.dailymotion.com
WIKIPEDIA: http://fr.wikipedia.org
