Bangkok--5 Feb--TQPR
JOËL ANDRIANOMEARISOA & ABDOULAYE KONATÉ
2 – 28 February
Richard Koh Fine Art
229, Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar
59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) is delighted to present a feature by African artists Joël Andrianomearisoa & Abdoulaye Konate. The two-man exhibition will run from 2 – 28 February at Richard Koh Fine Art, 229, Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar 59100, Kuala Lumpur. This exhibition will feature 10 textile artworks and is the first dedicated show to introduce both internationally regarded African artists to Southeast Asia. The Opening Reception will take place on Friday, 2 February, from 5 – 8pm.
Featuring a chromatic seduction of tactile pieces by the duo, the pieces by Andrianomearisoa, whose works are architectural constructions of meticulously cut-out fabrics in gradients of black and white, is displayed alongside Konate, whose immersive magical fabric squares bridge the world of spirit and senses. Combined, both artists address global issues through a rich symbolism of African colors, concepts and structure., bringing to our shores a global discourse on aesthetic.s and transculturalism.
Andrianomearisoa engages his viewers through discovery. Rhytemic and compelling, his works are a result of his sensitivity toward material and human emotions, illustrating the pulses of life within a geographical space. The exhibition will feature 6 monochromatic pieces from his Chanson de ma terre lointaine series, inspired by Marguerite Duras' India song. These pieces are part of the artist's meditation on Madagascar, they depict a combination of opposing forces, recording ambivalent movements of affirmation and negation whilst conveying a sense of fragility.
Regarded among the pioneers of modern African Art, Abdoulaye's large textile pieces adopt appilique techniques to characterize the abstract and figurative. The choice medium of cotton, widely available in Mali, is his desire to express his art through elements closest to him. Abdoulaye's presentation mimic the movement of the capes by using layers of coloured ribbons. He combines the dying and colors of indigenous cotton tradition with his signature embroidery to reinterpret strong socio-political themes, a display of his commitment to universal harmony, an important concept in the African tradition.
Regarded as a whole, this exhibition is a symphony of colors and visual iteration of the sights and sounds of the artists and their homelands whilst connecting to the universal aesthetic and social sensibilities.
Joël Andrianomearisoa (b.1977, Antananarivo, Madagascar) studied at the Ecole Speciale d'Architecture, Paris, France. His works have been recently exhibited for "The White Hunter", at Frigoriferi Milanesi Art Center For Contemporary Art, Milan, Italy and for "Le la tour du monde" at Galeries Lafayette (Dome), Paris, France both in 2017, then for "The Divine Comedy" at the National Museum of African Art, Washington DC, US (2015) as for many other shows. Andrianomearisoa is currently living and working between Paris and Antananarivo.
Abdoulaye Konate(b.1953, Dire, Mali) studied painting at the Institut National des Arts in Bamako and then at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba. Notable exhibitions include "Metropolis Afrique Capitales" at the Grand Halles de la Villette, Paris, France (2017) and "Abdoulaye Konate" at the Arken Musem of Copenhagen, Denmark (2016). He currently lives and works in Bamako.
Richard Koh Fine Art has been in operation since 2005 and is regarded as a pioneer for introducing Asian contemporary art to Malaysia and the region. Promoting an adventurous roster of emerging and established artists, the gallery regularly mounts exhibitions locally and abroad with a commitment to emerging practices and challenging media.
For further information about the exhibition, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Low at +6016 217 5112 or the gallery at
[email protected] / +6 03 2095 3300.