EXPO CHICAGO M SALIHOU

MOSES SALIHOU

Moses Salihou is a Cameroonian artist based in Toronto. Salihou’s thick application of paint creates a textural intensity that mirrors our own internal complexities. Central to Salihou’s work is his belief that human beings are composites of various identities, experiences, beliefs, and emotions. Salihou’s gestural application leaves the defining features on the faces of his portraits only loosely representational. The portraits become composites of various people rather than fixed and stable identities, allowing the observer to be a participant rather than just a viewer. These rich surface eﬀects provide Salihou’s work with a sense of dynamism that captures the fluidity and movement he ascribes to the concepts of identity and personhood. Salihou has exhibited across the United States and Canada. His work is also in private collections globally, including in Europe, New Zealand, Africa, Asia, Canada, and the US.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The “BOND” series is of figurative works inspired by everyday scenes drawn from my memories especially on my journey back to Cameroon and relying on photographic references diverted to my vision. These works explore the question of black beauty, identity, friendship, family, complicity and transmission of values through these special moments while creating a strong bond, it’s an entire identity that is celebrated, heritage and values which are transmitted to the youngest.