Jack Bell Gallery present a solo exhibition of paintings by contemporary artist Boris Nzebo. This new series addresses diverse themes of war, violence, politics, corruption and terrorism which continue to plague the artist’s local environment.

Nzebo is noted for making paintings that draw on the surroundings of his hometown Douala, Cameroon’s largest city. He uses a strong colour palette that evokes the murals and graffiti of street culture found throughout Douala’s suburbs. The works are instantly recognizable – simultaneously personal and universal – and speak a language familiar to Douala’s inhabitants.

Nzebo’s stylized execution owes a lot to painted haircut signs found outside Cameroon’s barber shops. Appropriating the language of advertising he creates portraits taken from detailed studies of traditional African hairstyles, often elaborate, and combines them with informal snapshots of local neighbourhoods, urban architecture and scenes from daily life.

Born 1979, Port-Gentil, Gabon, Nzebo lives and works in Douala, Cameroon. His work has been exhibited in both ‘Pangaea: New Art From Africa and Latin America’, 2014, & ‘Pangaea II’, 2015, Saatchi Gallery, London, and solo show ‘Urban Style’ at the Manchester Art Gallery, UK, 2016.

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www.jackbellgallery.com