From a very young age, Alida Ymelé had a keen appreciation for art. Drawing – or ‘doodling’, as she likes to put it – brought her immense joy. The loss of her parents at a very young age cemented her love for art, which, as well as allowing her to express her views, soothes her and serves as a real outlet.
1 – Tell us about your background.
My name is Alida Ymelé. I was born in 1994 in Cameroon. I live and work in Douala. In 2019, I completed a Professional Master’s degree in Fine Art at the Nkongsamba Institute of Fine Arts, part of the University of Douala.
2 – What inspires you?
Women, who formed the bedrock of my childhood, are at the heart of my work. My artistic practice is an ongoing exploration centred on societal issues affecting them.
I am an observer of everyday life and I love to highlight these modern-day heroines. I draw inspiration from the women around me, from the various people I meet, from my conversations with women who have survived the experience of migration, and also from my extensive research and reading.
I have recently become a young stay-at-home mum, and this new role has had a huge impact on my work, given that the women who shaped my childhood were all like mothers to me.
3 - What technique(s) do you use for your creations?
Using a mixed-media technique that combines acrylic paint, Posca pens and Indian ink on canvas, I imbue my subjects with strength and power – qualities that stand in stark contrast to their initial circumstances.
The stripes – sometimes forming the background of the canvases, sometimes appearing on the faces – play a very important role. These lines are inspired by the bags known as ‘Ghana must go’, which recall the harrowing story of the flight of two million illegal Ghanaian immigrants, driven out of Nigeria in the early 1980s. Like a labyrinth, the complexity of the bag’s weave represents the difficulties faced by these daring women, as well as the individual stories that intertwine to form a true collective memory.
The choice of warm colours symbolises power, strength and energy. As for the grey that runs across the faces, for me it is a way of deconstructing the concept of race through colour, inspired by the American painter Amy Sherald.
I have had the pleasure of taking part in numerous group exhibitions such as ‘Sonsbeek’ in Arnhem, the Netherlands (2021), ‘Artuelles interférences’ in Cameroon in 2020 and 2021, and ‘Woman Power’ at Bandjoun Station in Cameroon in 2018, to name but a few...
Serenity
4 – What are your major exhibitions?
I have taken part in several group exhibitions across Cameroon and Europe, the most significant to date being “Sonsbeek” in Arnhem (Netherlands). “Sonsbeek” is a historic exhibition project launched in 1949 following the Second World War. This exhibition was launched with the aim of repairing the extensive damage the city had suffered during the Battle of Arnhem in the Second World War. It was a defining experience for me, which further strengthened my resolve to pursue an artistic path rather than any other…
I also took part in the group exhibition “Dicokam”, which ran from 2 June to 31 July 2022 in Paris at the 193 Gallery. This exhibition showcased the young Cameroonian art scene.
5 – Where can people view your work?
At the moment, whilst there are no exhibitions or other artistic/cultural events taking place, I’m sharing my creations online. You can find them on my Facebook and Instagram accounts.