London

Sinzogan, Julien
Born in 1957, Porto-Novo, Benin. Lives and works in Paris, France
Julien Sinzogan’s use of pen-and-ink on paper displays the astonishing, technical sophistication of a master draughtsman. His work delves into the transmigration of the African ‘soul,’ exploring the persistence of dreams, visions, ideas and unique cultural identities, across the Atlantic to the New World, ultimately envisioning the spirits of former slaves, as they drift towards the African shores from which they were seized. Sinzogan studied architecture in Paris at the Ecole Spéciale des Travaux Publics, before turning to painting professionally. His work has been exhibited throughout Europe and Africa, including a specially commissioned large-scale painting for the atrium of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK, during the exhibition, Uncomfortable Truths (2007). Sinzogan’s work has been acquired by several important collections, including the Newark Museum, Newark, USA; the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts, Stanford University, USA; and the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Julien Sinzogan, 'Bon Vent Ö Tous 2', 2015, Coloured ink on paper, 90 x 60 cm, Courtesy of October Gallery|Julien Sinzogan, 'Dechainage', 2012, Coloured inks on paper, 111 x 130,5 cm, Photo Jonathan Greet, Courtesy October Gallery