Dominique Kouas

**Dominique "Kouas" Gnonnou** (born 1952) be a contemporary Beninese artist den sculptor of Vodun art.

## Biography
Na dem born Dominique "Kouas" Gnonnou insyd 1952 insyd Benin. He cam turn an assistant wey he learn about de trade den restoration of destroyed den foraged artifacts den oda pieces. Gnonnou ein work be strongly influenced by traditional anonymous African artists wey komot previous centuries. Ein home studio insyd Porto-Novo dey display ein unique style of contemporary art plus a wide range insyd a multitude of different media techniques dem use within ein contemporary style. Na he create a technique dem call Pein-tik, a combination of sculpture, painting, den batik. He be noted for ein large metal-based works, wich dey for display insyd de International Festival of Vodun Arts and Cultures insyd Ouidah, buh dey operate a studio insyd Porto Novo. Among ein notable works be a sculpture of a "three-headed, three-footed, three-armed Mami Wata". Anoda be one wich "dey depict several faces wey dey bear Fon (two for each cheek, temples, den forehead) den Yoruba (three for each cheek) scarification marks wey dey indicate dema ethnic membership". De October Gallery insyd London sanso dey possession of ein art. De work of de Artist achieve insyd de 80's den 90's be now considered as one of de most influent Beninoise contemporary visual art. Ein work dey take part of de Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts collection.

## Artworks
Dominique Kouas get ein artwork display wey dem sell across de United States, England, den Africa. Dem know am locally insyd Ouidah for ein large metal sculptures, wey na dem categorize among d*e first generation of artists after Benin ein Independence*. One of ein most recognizable artworks be de **depiction of Mami Wata**, three-headed, three-footed, three-armed sculpture wey na dem sanso display. Dis art piece dey locate for de suspected spot of de **Tree of Forgetting** wey dey use religious ties, plus vodun systems den history. Ein aesthetic be derived from diversity, interpersonal, den dey display history plus de idea of change den forward moving.

### ''Gate of no return''
Memorial gates dem paint insyd red, yellow, den white pigments, den de tall metal sculptures wey tower next to dem, dey mark de spot of de captive slaves. Na dem work for dis memorial top by Ahouangnimon, Yves Bandiera, Fortuné, 1953- Kouas, Dominique, 1952- Pèdé, Yves Apollinaire, 1959- dey highlight de gruesome Transatlantic Slave trade wey dey emphasize de horror den reflection.

### ''The Guards with the Comb'' (2002)
A sculpture plus de main medium be wood. Sanso dey include Braided vegetable rope (dotôkan).

## Exhibitions
**The International Festival of Vodun Arts and Cultures**

Dey begin insyd February 1993, an annual festival dey take place insyd de historic beachside city of Ouidah, Benin for January 9–10. Dis festival be about make e dey bring attention to culture, art, den de connection to de Transatlantic Vodun culture. Dis festival dey highlight de roles play by Benin slaves den wat na dem endure. Chaw Benin den African diaspora artists dey participate insyd make dem dey sell work for commission during de festival.

### The October Gallery
Dey gbele ein doors insyd July 1985, de Gallery dey highlight de African American Art industry plus de physical art gallery wey locate insyd Philadelphia, PA since 1985. E be one of de oldest African-American galleries nationally wey na e be up den dey run for 38 years. Insyd de 1990s’ na de gallery get six separate locations. Na dese locations consist of Old City for 2nd Street den The Gallery Mall East for Market Street; one insyd Cherry Hill, New Jersey; one insyd Echelon, New Jersey; one insyd Burlington, New Jersey; den one insyd Washington, DC.

## Collections
**Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts**

* "The Path of Migration"

## References