4 hours ago
Wedaeli Chibelushi, BBC News, London
Larkin Durey
Aboudia’s work has been exhibited in Abidjan, London, New York, and Tel Aviv.
Back in September, global art experts were surprised to see Aboudia’s name at the top of the list of the world’s best-selling artists, surpassing well-known names like Damian Hirst and Banksy in auction sales. According to the Hiscox Artist Top 100, Aboudia, whose real name is Abdoulaye Diarrassouba, sold 75 lots, with one canvas fetching £504,000 (£640,000).
Online marketplace Artsy and The Guardian both commented on Aboudia’s unexpected success, with Artsy calling it “striking” and The Guardian stating that market experts were taken by surprise.
Aboudia, speaking from a London gallery filled with his vibrant paintings, expressed that the survey results were not surprising to him. He attributed his success to hard work and dedication to his craft.
Aboudia’s artwork, which features cartoon-like figures inspired by the streets of Abidjan, depicts the challenges faced by children living and working in the city. His work also explores themes of Ivory Coast’s civil war, capturing the intensity and emotions of the conflict.
Born in 1983 in Abengourou, Aboudia faced challenges early on in his artistic journey. Despite being kicked out of his home at a young age for pursuing art, he persevered and eventually enrolled in art school, where he developed his unique style influenced by Ivorian art icons.
Aboudia’s rise to fame was not immediate, as he faced rejection and criticism in the local art scene before gaining recognition internationally. His powerful paintings created during the civil war earned him praise and opportunities to exhibit his work on a global stage.
Today, Aboudia’s art resonates with audiences worldwide, capturing the raw emotions of urban life and the impact of conflict on children. His success mirrors the growth of the African art market, reflecting a broader appreciation for contemporary African artists. ArtTactic también ha encontrado que mientras el mercado global de arte disminuyó un 18% el año pasado, el de África solo se redujo un 8,4%.
En su evaluación de la industria en 2024, Hiscox no incluyó una clasificación de los artistas más vendidos por el volumen de todas las obras vendidas, como lo hizo en 2023.
Sin embargo, nombró a Aboudia como el sexto artista más exitoso cuando se trata de piezas vendidas por menos de $50,000 (£39,300).
El ascenso de Aboudia lo ha llevado a dividir su tiempo entre su país de origen y Nueva York. Cuando está de regreso en Costa de Marfil, dedica sus esfuerzos a la Fundación Aboudia, una organización que lanzó para apoyar a los niños y jóvenes artistas del país.
Este es otro ejemplo del impulso del artista, pero cuando le pregunto si tiene planes para su carrera, responde simplemente: “No, no tengo eso”.
Cuando lo presiono, dice que toma las cosas un día a la vez, quizás un antídoto reconfortante después de más de una década de tenacidad.