Dominique Zinkpè
Born in 1969, in Cotonou (Benin). Lives and works between Cotonou and Abomey. Painter and sculptor, Dominique Zinkpè is one of the main living artists in Benin. He was drawn to art at a very early age, and, as there was no specialized school in Benin, he trained himself thanks to his great curiosity and by studying books. Later, he would take care of younger Beninese artists, providing them with training. If one can notice in his paintings the influence of Francis Bacon or Jean-Michel Basquiat, it is actually in the depth and richness of Beninese culture and Voodoo religion that he mostly draws inspiration. Works by Dominique Zinkpè can be found in numerous private and public collections. Shown around the world, his artwork has been playing a major role in the recognition of African contemporary art and its international reach. Since 2014, he has been running the Centre Arts et Cultures in Cotonou.