Abou Sidibé (1977) - Sculpture, La grande traversée de Tombouctou - 98 cm - Patinated bronze, Steel, Aluminium, Wrought iron - 2018

The Great Crossing of Timbuktu 2018
H 98cm L 22cm D 18cm 5kg

The artist, Abou Sidibé, signed his work with his initials on the steel base.
Abou lives and creates in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
The Lille-based association SAGA represents him in France and popularizes his work. It certifies the authenticity of the work.
The sculpture will be shipped in a wooden crate.

For Westerners, the expression “The Great Crossing of Timbuktu” generally refers to two major historical contexts linked to exploration and desert expeditions in the Sahara: In terms of exploration, it denotes the perilous journey of the French explorer René Caillié. In 1828, he became the first European to reach the mythical city of Timbuktu and return alive. In terms of mechanical adventure, the expression evokes the Touggourt-Timbuktu Mission organized by André Citroën.

Through this assemblage sculpture, Abou Sidibé speaks to us of Timbuktu, “the Pearl of the Desert” inscribed in world history. The sculpture presents an organic and textured form, evoking earth, crowned by a complex composition in bronze and metal. The main body, in brown hues, is adorned with a stylized figure made of metallic debris, highlighted in red. Elements such as polished stones and ropes integrate into it. At the summit, a profusion of bronze and iron details unfolds: animal figures, a rider, miniature architectural structures and a sculpted head. The work combines raw and manufacturer-made materials with great singularity.

Abou Sidibé, a contemporary sculptor, is an artist whose work serves as a bridge between the rich narrative of African tradition and the dynamic, ever-evolving modern world.
Born in 1977 in Abidjan, he began his artistic journey studying at the Beaux-Arts in Bingerville, where the foundations of his craft were laid. But it was his settlement in Ouagadougou that marked an important turning point in his artistic development.
In Ouagadougou, Abou Sidibé finds himself in a new environment that offers fresh sources of inspiration. Fully embracing this change, he moves away from the limits of overly academic art to venture into a realm of greater inventiveness and bold creativity. His artistic exploration found a nurturing home within the Olorun Foundation, where his journey toward a more vibrant contemporary universe took shape.
Abou Sidibé’s artistic path has led him beyond borders, with several exhibitions organized abroad, including a notable showcase in Colombia. In addition to presenting his works, Abou also shares his knowledge and passion through sculpture classes, thereby enriching the artistic community with his expertise.
If Abou’s roots remain deeply anchored in his African culture, it is his unique assemblage of materials that demonstrates his true modernity. His sculptures integrate a wide range of elements, such as keys, inner tubes, nails and cans, symbolizing the inherent contrasts in Africa, a continent in constant oscillation between its rich traditions and the allure of modernity.
With unwavering determination and boundless energy, Abou Sidibé shapes wood and diverse installations, carving out a place for himself in the art world. His work not only pays homage to the artistic heritage of his continent, but also bears witness to Africa’s lasting influence on the global art scene, a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world."} }'json to be valid? Wait we included quotes inside. Ensure valid JSON: Need to escape internal quotes. Our translator included many “ and ” quotes; those are not ASCII but valid in JSON as part of string if encoded? In JSON, strings must be in double quotes and internal double quotes must be escaped. We used actual smart quotes which are characters but fine; but double quotes inside string would terminate. We included none of