Working between Burkina Faso and France, Souleimane Barry weaves rich patchworks of memories, symbols, and fantasies. His paintings and mixed-media works reveal what he describes as a twilight world, populated by characters he encounters during his travels between West Africa and Europe. These portraits are accompanied by elements drawn from African spiritual traditions and the experience of migration. Among the recurring motifs, there are animals, globes, and checkered surfaces. Barry’s eclectic style is inspired by his training as a poster painter, as well as his courses with figures such as the playwright, director, and actor Jean-Pierre Guingané. Contrary to the widely held belief that painting is a divine gift, Souleimane Barry is one of the few Burkinabé painters who have acquired a solid pictorial culture, thus blending tradition and modernity with great mastery.
Souleimane Barry was born in 1980 in Burkina Faso. He underwent several trainings, including at the calligraphy workshop in Bobo-Dioulasso, as well as at the advertising billboard calligraphy workshop, which allowed him to develop his eclectic style. Several drawing and painting programs in Burkina Faso also helped him perfect his pictorial technique. He has been exhibited internationally and has participated in several art fairs such as AKAA and Art Paris.
Born in 1980 in Burkina Faso
Lives and works between France and Burkina Faso
EDUCATION
2008
Academic course in animation cinema, Institut IMAGINE, Ouaga, Burkina Faso
2005
Practical work Hang’art 11 centre des arts plastique, Ouaga, Burkina Faso
Academic painting classes, centre Gambidi, Ouaga, Burkina Faso
2004
Drawing classes at the French Institute, Ouaga, Burkina Faso
2000
Academic course at the Calligraphy Workshops for Advertising Billboards, Ouaga, Burkina Faso
1992
Academic course at the Calligraphy Workshops of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
EXHIBITIONS
2024
Open studio, Festival AR(t)CHIPEL, Centre Pompidou et la région centre val de Loire, France
Group show, AFRICAINS EVERYWHERE, collection Margaux et Raphaël BLAVY, France
2023
Group show, SUPRA NATURE, Galerie Anne De VILLEPOIX, France
Group show, THE NEW AFRICAN PORTRAITURE, Shariat Collections, Kunsthalle, Krems, Austria
2022
Solo show, REGENERESCENCE, Galerie Anne De VILLEPOIX, Paris, France
ART PARIS ART FAIR, Grand Palais Ephémère/Galerie Anne De VILLEPOIX Paris, France
1-54 Contemporain African Art Fair/Galerie Anne De VILLEPOIX, London, UK
2021
AKAA foire d’art contemporain Africain/ Galerie Anne De VILLEPOIX, Paris, France
Group Show, IMAGINAIRES EMANCIPES, AKAA & Manifesta Lyon, Galerie Manifesta, Lyon, France
1-54 contemporary African art fair/ Galerie Anne DeVillepoix, Paris, France
2020
Group Show, AKAA A LA GALERIE, Galerie Anne De VILLEPOIX, France
Solo Show, L’IMAGINAIRE, Galerie Anne De VILLEPOIX, France
Solo Show, TRAVELING, Gallery 2Sun, Tucson, Arizona, USA
2019
BISO-Off Biennale Internationale de sculpture de Ouaga, Burkina Faso
Solo show, PAYSAGES URBAINS & VISAGES ANONYMES, Onomo Visual Art, Lomé, Togo
2018
Residency Arkane Africa, Rabat, Morocco
Group Show, ARKANE AFRICA, Casablanca, Morocco
