LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery is pleased to announce its participation to 1-54, Contemporary African Art Fair, in London, from 13 to 16 October 2022. The gallery will present artworks by artists Ange Dakouo and Pedro Pires on stand S 3. 

Ange Dakouo is inspired by the universe and costumes of the Dozos which have a value of authenticity and protected knowledge.

The concept of his work is based on those amulets known as "gri-gris", reproduced and bound endlessly. They also provide protection and exorcise life dangers. "Gri- gris" are created from newspaper folds in memory of his father, who was a printer, and from cotton thread tying. He tackles the essential issue of the refoundation of Africa and the advent of a new and improved society.

These parcels of color are the reflection of difficulties and obstacles. They sometimes dominate, darkening the whole work, or remain discreet like the red squares and invite us to be vigilant.

Pedro Pires works as a sculptor, drawer, photographer, video artist and installation artist. Born in Luanda in 1978, the artist lives and works between Luanda (Angola) and Lisbon (Portugal). For more than ten years he has been exploring the sense of dislocated national identity, migration and human rights.

He is particularly interested in identity issues and stereotypes in direct relation to education, history and institutions. This interest comes from his dual African and European cultural background.