Jean-Louis N’cho
Jean-Louis N’cho is a photographer originally from Côte d’Ivoire, currently residing in France since February 2021. His photography journey began in 2016 to express his emotions and find personal fulfillment. Through his photographs, he aims to showcase the beauty of Africa, including its diverse cultures and the abundant natural resources that make this continent truly magnificent. Over time, he embraced this medium as a creative challenge. He firmly believes that creativity knows no bounds, and it is the most crucial aspect of the artistic process. He realized that while technology and tools may come at a price, creativity itself is free and stands as the cornerstone of artistic expression. Once he grasped this concept, he stopped worrying about the equipment and focused on harnessing his creativity. He sees this opportunity as a great platform to share his work with a wider audience and demonstrate that even with limited resources, remarkable and impactful art can be created.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION- LES ABIDJANAIS
Les Abidjanais is a photographic series I began in 2023, upon my return to Côte d’Ivoire after three years abroad. This return, motivated by my father’s funeral, was both painful and profoundly moving. Despite the grief, I felt an instinctive joy in reconnecting with Abidjan, its warmth, its vibrant colors, and its overflowing energy.
With neither the time nor the mindset to organize proper photo shoots, I started photographing the city spontaneously. The street became my living gallery, each scene telling its own story. Back in France, I reworked these images by integrating African masks, powerful symbols of spirituality, memory, and identity.
These masks, originating from different Ivorian ethnic groups such as the Sénoufos, Baoulés, and Yakoubas, embody mythical figures and play a central role in traditions. By placing them within Abidjan’s urban landscape, I create a dialogue between past and present, between the sacred and the everyday, thus connecting our ancestral heritage with our contemporary lives.
Through this series, I aim to remind us that our cultural heritage is not a frozen memory but a living force to be celebrated and passed on.
- Côte d’Ivoire
