Thanks to the association Woke upI took part in the 24th edition of the festival Segou’art on the banks of the Niger from January 30 to February 4, 2024 as an art critic. Wekré carefully chose ten visual artists to participate in the festival’s off-exhibition, and among them was DEGBEKOUTO Debora Ami better known as Ora. D, an artist that I had the privilege of meeting personally. As members of the same delegation, we undertook the journey together from Ouagadougou to Ségou.
During this trip, we shared moments of enriching exchanges on his artistic approach and the motivations which underlie his art. These discussions were as much windows into his creative process as invitations to enter his unique artistic universe. In these special moments, Now. D revealed the inspirations that guide her work, as well as the challenges she faces as a contemporary artist evolving in an ever-changing cultural and social context.
This encounter during our journey to the festival not only enriched my understanding of his art, but also strengthened my appreciation for the diversity and richness of contemporary artistic expressions in Africa. The fusion of our perspectives and the symbiosis of our ideas have helped to forge artistic and human connections that have transcended geographical and cultural boundaries, thus testifying to the universal power of art to connect individuals and spark deep and meaningful dialogues. .
Ora’s journey. D in string art
Now. D discovered the art of string art during his artistic explorations. Originally from Togo, she has now lived in Burkina Faso for almost two years. It was upon her arrival in this new country that she began to indulge in string art in 2022, attracted by her penchant for DIY, her love for color and her insatiable desire for creativity. It was these passions that inspired her to pursue this unique art form.
String art, which she defines as rope or string art, became for her much more than a simple artistic activity. It has become a means of expression in its own right, a channel through which she can bring her most daring and inspiring ideas to life. Each line of rope, each knot, each carefully crafted pattern represents for her an opportunity to transmit emotions, tell stories and explore the frontiers of creativity.
For Ora. D, string art is much more than just an artistic practice; it’s a passion. CP: Ora. D with his agreement
String art became his visual language, his way of communicating with the world around him. It is a form of expression that allows him to merge his passions and talents, to skillfully blend craftsmanship and art, creating works that capture the imagination and arouse admiration. For Ora D, string art is much more than just an artistic practice; it is a consuming passion, an infinite source of inspiration and a path to self-realization.
Burkina Faso as a host land for his artistic career
Now. D deliberately chose Burkina Faso as a host land for his artistic career. For her, this country embodies values of hospitality, integrity and above all cultural richness. “I am convinced that Burkina Faso is the ideal place to give impetus to my artistic passion”. Indeed, art is deeply rooted there, with renowned art markets such as Woke up the contemporary art market of Ouagadougou,the Ouagadougou International Painting Meetings (RIPO) and a plethora of festivals dedicated to artistic expression. “ By settling here, I saw the opportunity to introduce string art into this rich artistic scene »
The public reaction was most encouraging. People were intrigued by this novelty. “ I still remember my first exhibition-sale in December 2022. When I presented one of my paintings to the public, the reception was warm and the reactions were positive”. There was a real enthusiasm around her work, which deeply motivated her to continue on this path.
Now. D offers a copy of his string art work to the Minister of State of Burkina Faso. CP: Ora. D with his agreement.
This enthusiastic reaction from the public was for her a validation of her career choice and an invaluable source of inspiration. “She encouraged me to try harder, explore new ideas and refine my technique”. Through this interaction with the Burkinabè public, she was able to understand the profound impact that art can have on people and society as a whole. This also allowed him to forge valuable links with the local artistic community, thus strengthening his feeling of belonging to this land of welcome so generous to artists.
The difficulties encountered on the path to the art of thong according to Ora. D
Along with the praise, there are always those who view his work as mere entertainment. Everyone expresses their point of view, and now, as an artist, it is up to them to take the best from those opinions and use them to move forward. “It’s all part of my learning journey. I am aware that I am still at the beginning of my artistic path, and every experience, positive or negative, is an opportunity to learn and grow. My ambition is to share my knowledge and train others to promote string art, but for now, I am in a learning phase myself.”
Every piece that Ora. D creates is an affirmation of his commitment to this unique art form. CP: Ora. D with his agreement.
It is through her work, her achievements and her passion that she can hope to change perceptions towards string art. Each piece she creates is an affirmation of her commitment to this unique art form and an invitation to those who doubt to discover its full depth and beauty.
The art of Thong according to Ora. D
As a string art artist, my favorite materials are thick plywood, nails, silk and cotton threads, and embroidery threads. For portraits in particular, I opt for embroidery threads in order to obtain finer and more precise details. In addition, I sometimes also incorporate paint into my works.
“At the beginning, I worked with imitation leather boards combined with threads. However, over time and thanks to the wise advice of others, I realized that imitation leather was not a durable material over time, susceptible to damage. This is why I stopped its use and turned to the exclusive use of paint on wood, thus providing increased durability and quality to my creations. For the creation of my string art works, I generally favor the 80/60 and 100/80 formats. Therefore, creating a piece can take one to two weeks, depending on its size and complexity. For smaller formats, I can complete a work in as little as three days to a week”.
This creative process, associated with the careful selection of materials, reflects the constant search for quality and authenticity in his artistic work. Each step, from conception to final realization, is imbued with care and attention to detail, resulting in works that captivate with their finesse and depth.
Creating a piece can take one to two weeks, depending on its size and complexity. The careful selection of materials reflects the constant search for quality and authenticity in his artistic work. CP: Ora. D with his agreement.
String art transcends conventional boundaries of artistic expression by demonstrating that it is possible to create works of art with means other than traditional painting or sculpture. It represents an authentic extension of art, exploring new aesthetic and conceptual territories. String art, by its very nature, encourages the development of color perception, stimulates abstract thinking and arouses deep emotions. “It requires patience, attention and diligence, while offering an original and authentic artistic experience, although sometimes associated with the field of design.
« Most of my works deal with the theme of resilience. They embody the need to heal from the past in order to move forward. Personally, I went through difficult trials to get to where I am today. I know many other people are going through difficult times as well.”. Thus, through her creations, she seeks to offer hope to people. Her art is therapeutic, both for herself and for those who view her works.
Ora’s Aspirations and Projects. D
“Until now, I have not had the opportunity to meet other string art specialists in the sub-region. However, I really want to meet them in order to benefit from their advice and participate in training, like what is done in the field of painting.” The lack of a community specializing in string art can sometimes be discouraging, as it is difficult to find the same motivation when you are the only one practicing this art form. It is important to create links with other artists sharing the same passion.
Ora. D hopes that string art will become as widespread and integrated into the learning of visual arts. CP: Ora. D with his agreement
String art remains largely unknown in the sub-region. Unlike painting, it does not enjoy the same popularity. “My wish is that string art becomes as widespread and integrated into the learning of visual arts. I know that in other countries such as Nigeria, Congo and Ivory Coast, there are practitioners of string art, although their number remains limited.”
She also has ambitious projects to promote string art among young people, in NGOs and orphanages in order to organize workshops and training.