Soly Cisse

Soly Cisse (born 1969) is a Senegalese painter, draughtsman and sculptor. Quotes For me, painting is above all a game, a space of freedom where I can experiment without limits But painting is not simply reproducing or representing, it is above all an exercise in intelligence and sensitivity My relationship with painting has never been academic I deeply believe that nothing can replace practice for me, the bottom line has always been: as long as I can eat, the rest will follow My philosophy is based on the idea that everything, in the world and in life, is a game. Every morning is a new opportunity, a different day, a blank page to fill. I believe that the strength of a creator lies in this ability to see the world differently, to transform it, to give it a new reading Art is a magnet that attracts fragments of life, encounters, memories, materials, and mediums that enrich a story in perpetual construction I have never imposed limits on myself, nor allowed my identity to be dictated: over time, it is what chooses us, it is shaped through experiences and works drawing is the starting point of everything I like to draw for the person who will follow me on a flight, to offer a fragment of art to a stranger, to make art accessible to everyone For me, creation should not be elitist, it is an exchange, a bridge between being I have never agreed to sell my freedom of thought, because it is what allows me to create without constraint, to explore without limits, and to remain faithful to my vision art cannot exist without a form of humor and lightness A life void of joy is a sad life, and we are already burdened enough by the trials of daily life Humor is what drives us, what allows us to take a step back and provide another reading of the world An artist, in many ways, evolves on another planet, like the tramp who mocks conventions and rebels Art is often born from the necessity, the urgency to say, to make something explode He who does not dare to waste does not dare to build Dissatisfaction is a powerful engine, it pushes us to never rest on our achievements I call on younger generations to become aware of the importance of nature and the need to preserve it No one is ever truly alone: ​​we are part of a whole, of a large ecosystem where each element has its place Soly Cissé: Art Beyond All Limits 18 February 2025 African art is on the right track, taking over the center stage I am greatly inspired by traditional African culture For me painting is like a ritual, when I paint, I try to understand our existence, the elements that surround me For me being an artist today is to shake up the rules of the art world I believe in my great capacity of digesting various influences. We must acknowledge that “influence” is the rule in art, it is part of the “truth” about art 7 Questions for Senegalese Artist Soly Cissé on How the Rise of the West African Art Scene Is Reshaping Local Communities 3 August 2023 Category:1969 births Category:Living people