HENRI ABRAHAM UNIVERS BOUNDLESS WOMAN June 2022
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Henri Abraham Univers Boundless Woman June 2022
Boundless Woman presents a selected number of works by Henri Abraham Univers presenting an empowered female figure center stage, carrying wisdom and light. At the interaction of Henri’s cultural heritage, past life experiences and relationship with the divine lies the powerful body of work celebrating women. Despite patriarchal systems, Henri’s work reflects the importance of women’s role throughout history. As he explains, “She, in my opinion, breaks free from this narrative by liberating herself from this old image and emancipating herself to gradually achieving equality in society. It is said that behind every successful man is a strong woman.” The series of works explore the power of femininity through two lenses: one is a central figure drawn from Henri’s imagination, ‘Femme Cactus’, who represents a subtle, dignified and authentic woman. The other is Henri’s use of Burkina Faso’s ethnic group, Mossi’s mask motifs that represent the woman’s significant role as the bedrock of the family and society. Through Henri’s signature cosmological symbolism, he explores the vast depths of female empowerment using a universal lens that advocates for love and unity. Henri’s faceless female figures showcase a woman that is all-encompassing, whoever she is. “She is love, freedom, and serenity.” Henri says. 1
Henri Abraham Univers is a contemporary artist born in Paris into a mixed heritage family (Burkina Faso - France) and raised in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. From an early stage in his life, Henri was surrounded by a multicultural environment that subsequently directly influenced his paintings.
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“The ‘Femme Cactus’ is an authentic woman. She has no face because she portrays all faces. It allows everyone to read and appreciate her in their own unique way that relates to themselves. What is certain is that she is a woman who longs for freedom.” Lumières, Femme Cactus series, Acrylic on canvas, 50x60cm, 2022, USD 2300
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Femmes Cactus, Acrylic on canvas, 75x115cm, 2022, USD 6600
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“I really like Picasso for his artistic freedom, Basquiat for his spontaneity, Bacon for his madness and authenticity, then Warhol for his avant-garde approach. I can be moved, in equal measure, by the work of a great master as that of a child.” Biiga Pink Addict, Acrylic on canvas, 51x40cm, 2022, USD 1700
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“I like the significance of women in human history. In the Mossi ethnic group in Burkina Faso, it is said that the woman is the hut, meaning she is the bedrock of the family and of society.” – Henri Abraham Univers 6
“Wonder Room is filled with multi-dimensional characters that for the first time fully come to life and take precedent over the scene, fusing reality with fantasy. The background resembles a dreamy Opera House which is contrasted against the intimate space in the foreground where figures find a moment to reminisce.”
Biiga Red Allure, Acrylic on canvas, 55x46cm, 2022, USD 1700
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Piscine, Femme Cactus series, Acrylic on canvas, 100x120cm, 2022, USD 9000
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“The black, white, and red images on the Burkina Faso masks signify the social and religious laws that people in the villages must follow. Some of the patterns have black and white checkerboards, while others are zig-zag lines indicating the ancestors' path.” Ashanti Rocket, Acrylic on canvas, 46x38cm, 2022, SOLD
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“The ‘Femme Cactus’ is all-encompassing; she is love, freedom and serenity.” Balançoire, Femme Cactus series, Acrylic on canvas, 80x80cm, 2022, USD 4900
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Plage 1, Femme Cactus series, Acrylic on canvas, 27x35cm, 2022, USD 800
Plage 2, Femme Cactus series, Acrylic on canvas, 28x35cm, 2022, USD 800
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Ashanti Future, Acrylic on canvas, 51x41cm, 2022, USD 1700
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Ashanti Doll Red (The Choice), Acrylic on canvas, 51x40cm, 2022, USD 1700
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“My message is to leave a little sincerity and love. Every star I create is dedicated to an Earthling.” － Henri Abraham Univers
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Henri Abraham Univers CV
Selected Exhibitions 2022 ‘Dreaming Tomorrow’, Group Exhibition, Emergeast 2020 1:54 Art Fair, Online edition (Artsy), New York, USA 2019 Masters & Contemporaries, Retro Africa, Abuja, Nigeria 2019 1:54 Art Fair, Industria, Manhattan, New York, USA 2019 ArtX Lagos 2019, The Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria 2018 ARTcaf 2018, Hôte Gallery, Brussels, Belgium 2018 ArtX Lagos 2018, Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria 2017 Contemporary African Spirituality, Calabar Gallery, New York, USA 2017 Reminiscences, Galerie Sonia Monti, Paris, France 2017 Afirika Savoies, Quais des Arts, Musée des Beaux Arts, Chambéry, France 2016 Festival International d’Art Contemporain La Selva de l’Art, Selva de Mar, Spain 2016 Art Residency ARKANE, Casablanca, Morocco 2016 ART’COP22, COP 22, Marrakech, Morocco 2015 Biennale Galila 2015, Fontenay sous Bois, France 2014 Summer Exhibition 2014, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
Biiga Pink Addict Acrylic on canvas, 51x40cm, 2022, USD 1700
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