Hamidou Koumaré is a young painter and sculptor who lives and works in Mali. A graduate of the National Institute of the Arts (INA), he went on to study at the Balla Fasseké Kouyaté Conservatoire of Arts and Multimedia in Bamako, where he pursued his higher education in the visual arts, graduating at the top of his year in 2014. It is safe to say that Hamidou has found his calling in sculpture. He experiments with materials such as iron, nails, wood, plaster, cement, clay and even fabric, generally exploring topical themes and the concept of living together.
He sees this calling for art primarily as a legacy from his father: Mamadou Koumaré. An internationally renowned sculptor, his father is the creator of several monuments in the Malian capital, including a memorial dedicated to the illustrious writer and man of culture Amadou Hampaté Ba. Drawing much of his inspiration from women’s dance, Hamidou prioritises the intimate aspects of the female form. In his own unique way, he captures the dancers’ dexterity, the fluidity of their movements, and quite simply, feminine beauty. Indeed, for this artist with a deep passion for sculpture, feminine forms deserve to be depicted, even in metal, as this material bends so readily to his will.
This choice to focus on figures with generous, rounded forms is partly explained by the status he accords to women. For him, a woman is LIFE. “If we look after life as we look after our wives, there will be fewer problems in the world,” he says. Furthermore, “whether she is a mother, sister or wife, a woman is more of a driving force in many situations than a man,” he adds.
From those first workshops in 2008, through his travels in Europe, Asia and other African countries, right up to his most recent creations, Hamidou Koumaré has come a long way. And the artist intends to build on this momentum, so that he can continue to offer us a perspective on our society and its driving forces that is both socially engaged and poetic.
1 – Could you briefly tell us about your background?
I am a Malian painter and sculptor, living and working in Bamako. I took up visual art at a very young age – a discipline that represents a whole heritage for me. Drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics are the cornerstones of my life.
With a Dogon mother (of noble descent) and a Dafing father (a blacksmith), I am the fruit of peace, a fact of which I am proud. As a child, I didn’t speak for five years, and I still remember it clearly. Together with my paternal grandmother, I used to make little modelled objects to sell at our village fairs. The villagers were curious to see this child who didn’t speak but was creating such incredible things!
2 – How did your artistic vocation come about?
Visual art is a passion that drives me deeply and always gives me the strength to move forward. After stepping through the doors of the fine arts school, I had a special feeling, as if ‘a light had come on inside me’. At that moment, I said to myself: ‘Koumaré, welcome to the temple of the art form’.
Furthermore, having a father who is a sculptor was a decisive factor in my life choice. I know that the path I have chosen is understood, supported and encouraged. But I can also count on the expertise and experience of this meticulous man to help me develop my own practice and bring my own touch to this art form, which has been passed down from father to son – and who knows, perhaps this tradition will continue with the next generation of Koumarés…
3 – What are your sources of inspiration?
Movement, flexibility, time, nature, feminine sensuality – especially dance – but also current events. All these elements are reflected in my works.
I try to understand all the movements found in nature and to ‘transform’ them into something else, which remains connected to the source of inspiration but now belongs to the world of Koumaré.
4 – Tell us about your working technique.
When it comes to sculpture, I collect metals of various shapes, mainly sheet metal. I then fasten them together and weld them. For painting, I prefer canvas.
With both these mediums, my aim is to raise awareness and create a sense of security, love and peace.
5 – How long does it take you to complete a piece?
I find it hard to put a time on it. I don’t set myself any limits, but I think that, on average, I complete smaller pieces in between 3 and 7 days. The larger sculptures do take about a month’s work. However, I consider that a piece is never really finished...
6 – Where can people find and view your works?
My creations can be seen in Bamako at the Balla Fasséké Kouyaté Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia, in my studio, on my Facebook profile, my Instagram account and on the Art Kelen website.