piniang

Piniang  (1976) graduated in 1999 from the National School of Fine Arts in Dakar, Senegal with a degree in multimedia. He also holds a degree in animation from Pictoon studio, Dakar (2001).

He uses a variety of techniques; drawing, painting and collage. Buildings, animals, chairs, words, symbols of playing cards and electric wires emerge as his work questions the city, with all its elements. These elements symbolise disorder and the lack of social responsibility shown by the Senegalese government. He addresses power, a word that has many interwoven meanings: “Chairs symbolize political power through which people are manipulated. Cables and plugs stand for electric power which we always lack in Dakar and it’s ironic; all these young people migrate to have the power to exist.”

Other symbols he uses are hands and arms sticking up with or without taking a selfie with their camera. Piniang: “A lot of people complain that they don’t have a job but they don’t want to bother to get it, that’s what I’m trying to show with these hands in my paintings and with the cats, they represent the laziness of such people who are just interested in taking selfies.” Together, this symbolizes the contrast between what people want and what they do to achieve it.

He has exhibited internationally in solo and group shows in many countries, including: Denmark, France, Kenya, Senegal, Sweden, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the USA. His work is held in public and private collections in amongst others: France, Sweden and the USA. His work has also been exhibited in various Dak’art INN biennials.  

English subtitles available, click on the cc-button in the video.

Would you like to know more about one of these works or buy a work of art? Please send me an email: rosalie@urbanafricans.com