EPHREM KOUAKOU
Ephrem Kouakou was born in Toumodi (Ivory Coast) and currently lives in the
United States.
Kouakou's heritage is Baule. In 1981 Ephrem began his studies in France at the
Ecole des Beaux-Arts,
Angers. Later he studied in Aix-en-Provence and finally at the prestigious
school, Ecole Nationale Superieure
des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His paintings are rich in the imagery of the history of
his native Baule.
EXHIBITION HISTORY
One Person Shows:
Espace 51 Bern, Switzerland: "The Strange World of the Baule", 1989
Embassy Gallery, Brussels, Belgium: "Recent Work", 1989
Aaron Gallery, Washington D.C.: "New Paintings", 1990
The Art Alliance, Washington D.C.: "Blolo Bian Blolo Bla - Mirror of the
Invisible", 1991
Parish Gallery, Washington D.C.: "The Baule World", 1992
Sunnen Gallery, New York, New York: "Recent Works" July 15, 1994
Mahogany Exchange, Gallery One Eleven, Baltimore, Maryland, 1998
Michael A. Hairston Fine Art Gallery, Silver Spring, MD, 2000, 2001
Stephen Cummings Studio 416 H Street, N.E. Washington D.C.:
"Reflections de l'esprit", 2003
Stephen Cummings Studio: "Carribean Cock", 2004
Parish Gallery: "Ephrem Kouakou, Painter", 2005
Antreasian Gallery: "Ephrem Kouakou," 2007
Group Shows:
Metropol, Baltimore, MD, 1993
Silvermine Gallery, Norwark, Connecticut, 1995
Synchronicity Space, 55 Mercer St. New York, New York "Emerging
Artists", 1998
American Vision Gallery, New York, New York "Fine Art Comes to Halem",
1999
Le Lac Bleu Galerie, Ivory Coast "Group Show", 2002
EDUCATION
Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris, 1984-1985
Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Aix-en-Provence, France, 1983-1984
Ecole des Beaux-Arts d'Angers, France, 1981-1983
REVIEWS
1991 The Washington Afro-American: "The Spirit Guides His Brush - African
Artist is Guided by the Gods" by Olive Vessel
1992 The Washington Afro-American: "Ivoirian Artist Will Have a Private
Exhibition" by Olive Vessel
1995 The New York Times: "A Wide World of Contemporary Imagery" by
Betty Tyler
1995 The Hour, Norwalk Connecticut: "Le Peintre Ephrem Kouakou" by
Alhouciene Sylla
2000 Ivoir' Soir Ivoirian Paper: "Je Suis L'Heritier de Lattier" by
Oliver Yro
MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
Smithsonian Institution, Museum of African Art, Washington D.C. (three canvases
in
the permanent collection)