Biography
Hyacinthe Ouattara
Hyacinthe Ouattara (b. 1981, Burkina Faso) is a self-taught artist whose work is deeply inspired by ancestral traditions. His practice explores the connections between humans, the natural world, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. Using materials rich with history, such as fabrics with past lives or indigo ink from a tree native to his region, Ouattara creates pieces that reflect the interconnectedness of humanity and the forces beyond our immediate perception. In his work, the red thread, a symbol of life, becomes a tool for repairing, connecting, and transforming, emphasizing the relationship between the individual and the collective.
Ouattara engages with the invisible, whether by letting ink find its own path on paper or by burying his paintings in the earth of his hometown for weeks, allowing the land to contribute to the creation. These poetic gestures remind us that it’s possible to pause the rush of modern life and reconnect with nature, moving at the slower, more deliberate rhythm of the earth. His work encourages us to reflect on creation—not in the urgency of today, but in a way that fosters a deeper connection to the essence of life.
Ouattara currently lives and works in Paris. He has shown his work in major international biennales, including the International Sculpture Biennale of Ouagadougou (BISO) in Burkina Faso (2022), the 14th Dakar Biennale in Senegal (2022), the 2nd Kinshasa Biennale (2022), and the Havana Biennale in Cuba (2024). In 2028, he will open the Ciel Ouvert Museum in Diébougou, Burkina Faso, a residency space where artists will be invited to create in harmony with the earth.
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Works
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Exhibitions