Ivory Coast, famous painter inspires new generation of artists

*Overcoming difficulties, Aboudia transformed teenage rebellion into artistic excellence *Aboudia is now one of the world's best-selling artists

Transcript

00:00In Ivory Coast, a famous painter dedicates his talent to teach and inspire young artists

00:11in order to find their own creative path.

00:13Let's see more.

00:16Abudia, a renowned painter from the Ivory Coast, transmits his knowledge and teachings

00:25to a new generation of artists, especially to children.

00:29In order to guide them to find their own creative path and their first inspiration

00:33on canvas.

00:34Although he is now one of the most renowned artists, both in his country and internationally,

00:39his beginnings were not easy, facing resistance and difficulties along the way, mainly from

00:44his family.

00:45When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a painter.

00:50My father didn't want to, but that's life, because every father wants his son to succeed.

00:54You might think that painting is not present in our cultures, but African art has strength

00:58through sculptures, batik loincloths and many other things.

01:01Even so, the father who was a teacher wants his son to be a teacher like him, because

01:04in Africa, at that time, when you said you wanted to dedicate yourself to art, they said,

01:09you are a failure and all that, but not in a bad way.

01:17After overcoming difficulties and following his path, Abudia transformed his teenage rebellion

01:23into an outstanding artistic expression.

01:25With a pictorial style called naïve, which includes works inspired by street children,

01:30the artist shows great affection and empathy for disadvantaged infants, while also urging

01:35the authorities to pay more attention to them.

01:40I could say that what makes my style recognizable is this naïve side of being older and working

01:44like a child.

01:45I think that's what it is.

01:46It gives it a special touch.

01:48I have also worked with underprivileged children, street children, the N'uchi and Ivorian slang,

01:52which is also spoken by street children.

01:56Today, this painter is among the best-selling artists at auctions worldwide, according to

02:04market analysis, as well as the contemporary artist who sold the most canvases in 2022.

02:09Moreover, important galleries in Paris, London, New York and Lagos are interested in his works,

02:15a very different reception from the one he received when he exhibited his first paintings

02:19in the Ivorian city of Abidjan in 2000.