Njogu Touray

Njogu Touray ( born April 5, 1960 in Serekunda - Latri Kunda, British Gambia ) is one of the most famous contemporary visual artists from The Gambia.

Life and work

Touray is an autodidact who never went to art school. The son of a master carpenter, he began as a child with a variety of materials to tinker, which were found in the area and on the beach, including sand and shells. In his youth he made lanterns for the beacon relocation and various African masks, which are used for various cultural festivities. Later he made decorations on the budget.

Later he operated from 2005 own Gallery in Serekunda - Latri Kunda at the Kairaba Avenue Sakura called Art Studio - ' Tahalart ' ( Tahalart = wolof stained or making art ). Since the late 1980s, he exhibited his works in solo exhibitions around the world, alongside Senegal and in galleries in the United States and Europe. From 2003 to 2005 he worked in his works on the role of women in the Gambian society. In 2004 he was awarded in Malaysia with the Best Poster Design. Together with Baboucarr Etu Ndow Touray was commissioned for the African Union Summit in 2006, to create paintings for each of the 52 accommodation of guests. From the President Jammeh Touray, in 2007, a contract a work for the residence of the President to create.

In Gambia he is involved as an environmental activist and works with children and introduces them to the art.

Work

His works are designed with rich and vibrant colors. He combines materials, which he takes from nature. His style is similar to that of Etu. For his work he chooses social issues, such as the fight for freedom in South Africa and the role of women in Gambian society. His motives relate to African, but also on global concerns: so he focuses on environmental problems, promiscuity and AIDS, making use of the Western hypocrisy at the origin of the virus. But he also takes up current issues. In the painting, I woke up one morning ( July 30th 1981), he comments on a coup in Gambia. Many of his images are, however, also be seen as purely experimental form and color games.

Exhibitions

A selection:

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