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Ategwa, Ajarb Bernard

Born in 1988 in Kumba, Cameroon
Lives and works in Douala, Cameroon

Ajarb Bernard Ategwa, My New Year Picture, 2020, Acrylic on canvas, 200 x 160 cm. Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery. 

In recent works, Ategwa uses portrait formats and draws on subjects from a neighbourhood photo studio. He offers a local perspective on modes of self-representation in Cameroon today. Both style and composition in these images recall black and white studio photography from the post-independence era across the continent. The use of framing and strong defined identities reference more contemporary influences from social media platforms. In stark contrast to the artist’s hard-line execution, he introduces a new painterly water colour element which holds back the portrait’s full disclosure. 

Douala remains a site of international influences embedded in its history, or more recently, hosting an influx of migrants from within the country, as well as from its neighbouring regions. Shaping Douala into the vibrant and colourful metropolis that it is today, its evolving landscape is a major source of inspiration for Ategwa. His work has recently been acquired by the Perez Art Museum Miami. Previous exhibitions include Peres Projects, Berlin, and the Cameroon National Museum, curated by Simon Njami.

Selected Artists

Isshaq Ismail

Yasmeen Abdullah

Zak Ové

M’barek Bouhchichi

Miguel Angel Payano Jr.

Ben Orkin

Adelaide Damoah

Athi-Patra Ruga

Artists 2022

  • A

    • Abdoulaye Konaté
    • Aboudia
    • Abu Bakarr Mansaray
    • Adegboyega Adesina
    • Adelaide Damoah
    • Adjani Okpu-Egbe
    • Admire Kamudzengerere
    • Aïcha Snoussi
    • Ajarb Bernard Ategwa
    • Alexis Peskine
    • Amani Bodo
    • Ambrose Rhapsody Murray
    • Amina Agueznay
    • Amogelang Maepa
    • Ange Dakouo
    • Angèle Etoundi Essamba
    • Arébénor Basséne
    • Asemahle Ntlonti
    • Athenkosi Kwinana
    • Athi-Patra Ruga
    • Atong Atem
    • Atsoupé
    • Aurelino dos Santos
    • Austin Uzor
    • Auudi Dorsey
    • Ayanda Mabulu
    • Ayrson Heráclito
  • B

    • Barthélémy Toguo
    • Basil Kincaid
    • Béchir Boussandel
    • Ben Orkin
    • Bertina Lopes
    • Bunmi Agusto
  • C

    • Cameron Platter
    • Cara Nahaul
    • Charlene Komuntale
    • Chris Soal
    • Clay Apenouvon
    • Collins Obijiaku
    • Cow Mash
    • Cristiano Mangovo
    • Crystal Yayra Anthony
  • D

    • David Olatoye
    • Dawit Adnew
    • Demarco Mosby
    • Deniz Pasha
    • Didier Viodé
    • Donald Wasswa
  • E

    • Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga
    • Ernest Dükü
    • Esther Mahlangu
    • Everlyn Nicodemus
  • F

    • Famakan Magassa
    • Fares Thabet
    • Fatiha Zemmouri
    • Francisco Vidal
    • Franco Ndiba
  • G

    • Gary March
    • Ghizlane Sahli
    • Gonçalo Mabunda
    • Gor Soudan
  • H

    • Hana Yilma Godine
    • Hanien Conradie
    • Hassan Hajjaj
    • Henry ‘Mzili’ Mujunga
  • I

    • Ibrahim El-Salahi
    • Isaac Zavale
    • Isabelle D.
    • Isshaq Ismail
  • J

    • Jan Wade
    • Joël Andrianomearisoa
    • Joël Bigaignon
    • Johanna Mirabel
    • Johnson Weree
    • José Adário
  • K

    • Kaloki Nyamai
    • Katlego Tlabela
    • Kenrick McFarlane
    • Khadija Jayi
  • L

    • Lakwena Maciver
    • Lavar Munroe
    • Leila Rose Fanner
    • Leslie Amine
    • LR Vandy
  • M

    • M’barek Bouhchichi
    • M0XC4
    • Malek Gnaoui
    • Manel Ndoye
    • Manyaku Mashilo
    • Mbaye Babacar Diouf
    • Mestre Didi
    • Miguel Angel Payano Jr.
    • Moufouli Bello
    • Mulambö
  • N

    • Nada Elkalaawy
    • Nadia Ayari
    • Nidhal Chamekh
    • Nnenna Okore
  • O

    • Odette Graskie
    • Odinakachi Okoroafor
    • Omar Mahfoudi
    • Onyis Martin
    • Option Nyahunzvi
    • Ozioma Onuzulike
  • P

    • Patrick Bongoy
    • Pedro Neves
    • Pedro Pires
    • Prince Gyasi
  • R

    • Renan Aguena
    • René Tavares
    • Richard Atugonza
    • Robert Peterson
    • Roland Dorcély
    • Romuald Hazoumè
    • Ryan Cosbert
  • S

    • Safaa Erruas
    • Salah Elmur
    • Salifou Lindou
    • Sikelela Owen
    • Slimen Elkamel
    • Sokari Douglas Camp
    • Sola Olulode
    • Souleimane Barry
    • Stan Squirewell
    • Stephané E. Conradie
    • Sthenjwa Luthuli
  • T

    • Tahir Karmali
    • Tegene Kunbi
    • Tewodros Hagos
    • Thameur Mejri
    • Themba Khumalo
    • Troy Makaza
    • Turiya Magadlela
  • W

    • Wura-Natasha Ogunji
  • Y

    • Yasmeen Abdullah
    • Yveline Tropéa
  • Z

    • Zak Ové
    • Zana Masombuka
    • Zanele Muholi

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