Thierry Oussou refers to his current practice as social archaeology, exploring the relationship between contemporary art and ethnographic objects. Through paintings and drawing installations he frames questions around authenticity and visibility in relation to heritage and archaeology. In 2011, Oussou founded Yè art studio, and continues to give art and visual culture workshops in institutions across Benin. Oussou worked as an assistant to Ernesto Houngbo, Meschac Gaba and Barthélémy Toguo Ousso.
Oussou’s recent work has been shown at the Art Exchange, Colchester (2019); 21st Contemporary Art Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil (2019); Tiwani Contemporary; 10th Berlin Biennale; Cobra Museum of Modern Art, Amstelveen; Garage Rotterdam, Rotterdam (2018); Cargo in Context, Amsterdam (2017); No Man’s Art Gallery, Amsterdam; Bradwolff Project Space, Amsterdam; Witteveen Art Space, Amsterdam (2016). In 2016 Oussou was awarded the first Jacqueline van Tongeren Fellowship at Rijksakademie v. B. K and was nominated by the Dutch Royal Award for Modern painting in Amsterdam Royal Palace.
