Mawouko Aboussa
Video Interview: Mawouko Aboussa
Video Interview: Who is Free Moe?
Video Interview: Delayed Intelligence
MAWOUKO ABOUSSA: Third World, Third Born | April 17 - June 30, Carolyn Jenkins Gallery
Mawouko “Moe “Aboussa was selected as KJ's Artist-in-Residence from November 2020-August 2021. The program supports emerging local voices and gives studio space and a solo exhibition. The exhibition “Third World, Third Born: Delayed Intelligence” is Moe’s first exhibition at Kimball Jenkins and a culmination of work made during the residency. Originally from Togo, Mawouka and his family were resettled in Concord as refugees in 1999 after enduring a violent dictatorship. From his bio, "I’m from a third world continent (3W), and I’m in the middle of five children (3B – Third born). I express my life experiences thru Arts & Music. I represent the broken homes and setback communities.”
Wit my brothas, and we hunt for the food, share wat we got
Only time we flee away from the stress, playing fifa
In the desert it be hot as a devil, everybody is a rebel
We too focused on the kettle, never heard of Aisha
Priory goals be, finagle thru, to feed intestine
Was brought up in a dead end, wit bunch of walking dead men
Anxious no banquet, currency is anguish
Savagery and malice, at the camp my people dreading”
-3W.3B, Fatal Crate
Mawouko’s graphite drawings depict scenes of refugees escaping the Togo civil war, as well as life in the refugee camp in Benin. His work often incorporates found fabrics, objects and other media. During his time in the UNHCR refugee camp, Moe improvised drawing and painting materials—whether using burnt wood as a drawing material, or finding ways to create paint pigments from whatever was available. The work continues to reflect that. Fabrics are sewn or collaged into drawings, different drawing materials incorporated and cutouts from cardboard or foam core are collaged and assembled.
Many of the works exist in series, like sequential storyboards, to tell the narratives. The evocative images depict very real scenes of what he, and many others, experienced. Through his work, he hopes connect with other refugees who have gone through similar experiences, and tell their stories.
In addition to drawings and paintings, artistic practice also includes fashion design and music (as FreeMoe 3W.3B.)
