AtWork Abidjan Chapter 02 workshop leader

Jems Koko-Bi was born in 1966, in Sinfra, Cote d’Ivoire. He is an important figure in the Ivory Coast’s contemporary art scene. After studying at the National Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies (INSAAC) in Abidjan and the Academy of Fine Arts in Düsseldorf, he was among the protagonists of the Dakar Art Biennial. His works have been displayed at various international exhibitions. He excels in carving burnt wood, his favorite material, which he uses to create figurative, abstract and conceptual shapes. His works deal with the struggle for power (Installation de chaises, 2013) and ‘brain drain’ (Convoi royal, 2010). His work is present in The Divine Comedy, Heaven, Purgatory and Hell revisited by contemporary African artists exhibition that started its world tour in 2014. He currently lives and works in Essen, Germany.