TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I’m a photographer & digital artist. I’m based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast & 28 years old.
HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR CRAFT?
Photography is a passion for me. I practiced it since I was very young. But it was after a very complicated period of my life or I felt that I was not progressing as I wanted that I decided to make it a professional activity.
DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR?
No, I don’t. I learned everything on my own since I am self-taught. But I listened to the advice of several people who loved photography.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORKS?
My works are messages because after the visual, I always try to convey a message through a symbol. I try to add a positive energy that is very often addressed to people in my community but also to all the people who like what I do.
DESCRIBE YOUR CONTENTS?
I do photo montage or manipulation but I do it my way. One of the goals for an artist is to have his own identity.
PERSONALLY WHICH ASPECT IS DEMANDING; STARTING OR FINISHING A PROJECT?
Both because if you start bad, the end work will be too difficult. If you start well, you have to make sure at the end that your work lives up to people’s expectations.
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR SOCIETY AFFECTS YOUR INDUSTRY?
It affects my industry by the lack of support. Art is not really put forward. Artists are forced to fend for themselves in order to make their art exist and this is killing the artists.
DO YOU FEEL THERE’S A GOOD SUPPORT ATMOSPHERE BETWEEN PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Yes. At least I have never been confronted with a lack of support from a colleague. We try to give each other strength to grow together.
MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER?
The reactions & comments of others gives me immense joy but also the strength to never give up. I do this job to give others emotions & when I see it happening, I’m happy.
WHAT YOU HOPE TO IMPROVE ON IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
To be able to show my society that art is important in everyone’s life. For me artists are poets conveying messages & informing our brothers about the aspects of our societies.
