In Gambia, Moulaye Sarr is one of the few painters who manage to make a living from their activity. On the occasion of an exhibition of his works, in Banjul, this artist specializing in cubism and portraits opens the doors of his studio to us.
With our correspondent in Banjul, Milan Berckmans
In his studio in Bakau, Moulaye Sarr applies oil paint, with a knife, on a large canvas…
” This painting is about a man and a woman…it’s about love. I love mixing multiple colors in a painting. Blue, red, orange, yellow… “, he explains to us.
For his exhibition, the Gambian painter produces abstract paintings with large, lively gestures.
” True abstractions are difficult to paint. First of all, you have to know how to mix colors, how to combine them and how to match them “, adds Moulaye Sarr.
This 55-year-old artist, who trained with Senegalese painters during his youth, is today an example for his colleagues.
His friend, the Nigerian painter Egunlae Olumide explains Moulaye’s influence on his own work: I learned a lot from him. People like Moulaye raised me to the standard of using texture in my paintings. In fact, whatever he touches in art becomes magic. »
With five other visual artists, Moulaye and Egunlae created the adonai art foundation which aims, in particular, to support young artists in the country.
“ The foundation, we set it up to help charitable organizations and then we do art to raise funds and support young artists, to help them buy equipment, canvas, paint and to allow them to start something “, explains Moulaye Sarr.
What perhaps allow the new generation of painters to exist. In The Gambia, the arts sector remains vastly underfunded.
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