Armand Boua

"Armand Boua’s work powerfully reflects the resilience of urban life through layered compositions that merge painting, collage, and abstraction. Using tar, acrylic, newsprint, and recycled cardboard, he applies and strips away material to reveal ghostly silhouettes that evoke the lives of street children. In works like Chien Errant (2022), figures emerge and fade within textured, muted surfaces, transforming decay into beauty. Boua’s distinctive technique balances social critique with human tenderness, offering a poetic reflection on memory, marginalization, and the enduring strength of the human spirit."

MEET

Armand Boua

Armand Boua, born in Abidjan in 1978, is an Ivorian visual artist whose work powerfully reflects the lives of street children in his hometown. A graduate of the National School of Fine Arts of the Ivory Coast, he uses tar, acrylic, newsprint, and recycled materials—often on cardboard, symbolizing the fragile surfaces orphans sleep on—to create layered, textured portraits that expose the violence and social struggles of West Africa. Balancing raw execution with emotional depth, Boua’s paintings evoke both brutality and tenderness, capturing the resilience of his subjects. His work has been exhibited internationally in London, Dubai, New York, Stockholm, and Abidjan, and is held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

FROM OUR BLOGUE

Amy Sherald's 'American Sublime' Exhibition at the Whitney Museum

Amy Sherald’s American Sublime, on view at the Whitney Museum from April 9 to August 10, 2025, presents nearly 50 powerful portraits. Her work challenges traditional American realism by centring Black subjects in poetic, dignified compositions.

Pharrell Williams Curates 'FEMMES' in Paris – A Powerful Tribute to Black Women

Pharrell Williams presents FEMMES at Galerie Perrotin, Paris, from 20 March to 19 April 2025. Curated by the musician and creative visionary, the exhibition brings together nearly 40 international artists whose works honour the power, identity, and beauty of Black women.

Paris Noir: A Tribute to 50 Years of Black Artistic Brilliance in Paris

The Pompidou Centre in Paris hosts Paris Noir, an expansive exhibition showcasing the contributions of Black artists from the African diaspora who lived and worked in the city between 1950 and 2000. With over 350 works on display, the show honours a legacy of resilience, innovation, and cultural exchange.

March 2025: A Month in Black Art

March 2025 witnessed pivotal moments in Black art, from groundbreaking exhibitions like "Paris Noir" at the Pompidou Center to concerning policy changes affecting cultural institutions. The art world also mourned the loss of esteemed figures such as artist Fred Eversley and Ethiopian art historian Elizabeth Giorgis.

Experience the Vibrancy of African Art at Geelong's 54 Art Fair

Bantu Collective introduces the 54 Art Fair to Geelong, celebrating the artistic heritage of Africa's 54 nations. The exhibition, running from April 1 to 25 at genU Gallery, showcases a blend of traditional and modern art forms, including installations and multimedia works. Visitors can immerse themselves in cultural workshops, live music, and interactive experiences that highlight the continent's rich diversity.

Paris Noir: Celebrating Black Artists in Postwar Paris at the Pompidou Centre

"Paris Noir" is a landmark exhibition at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, featuring over 350 works by 150 Black artists who lived and worked in the city from the 1950s to 2000. It shines a light on the creative influence and cultural legacy of African, Caribbean, and Afro-diasporic artists in postwar Paris.

Empowering African Art: +234Art Fair Returns for Its Second Edition

The +234Art Fair is back for its second edition, running from March 27th to 31st, 2025, at the Ecobank Pan African Center (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos. This year's theme, "Championing Patronage in Nigerian Art," aims to explore the transformative power of patronage in driving the growth and sustainability of Nigerian art. The fair will feature over 1,000 artworks from emerging and unrepresented Nigerian artists, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents to local and international audiences.

5 Must-Attend Contemporary African Art Fairs and Events

Contemporary African art is taking the world by storm, and these five must-attend fairs and biennales are at the heart of its rise. From the global powerhouse 1-54 to the electrifying ART X Lagos, and the prestigious Dak’Art Biennale, these events showcase the best of African artistic talent. Whether you’re a collector, curator, or art enthusiast, these fairs offer an immersive experience into the dynamic world of African creativity. Dive into the highlights, past record-breaking sales, and groundbreaking exhibitions that make these events unmissable.

View All