Burkina Faso PM visits “The Perspicacity of Masks” exhibition at La Villa-Rose
Amid the celebrations of the 22nd National Culture Week, Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo took time to stop at La Villa-Rose guesthouse. At the heart of this green setting, an extraordinary exhibition caught his attention: “The Perspicacity of Masks of Burkina Faso,” created by brothers Assane and Ousséni Ouattara – visual artists, sculptors, and recognised specialists in African masks and polychromy.
The Head of Government toured this dual artistic journey with interest. The first part of the exhibition pays homage to national heritage: facsimiles of traditional Burkinabe masks and statues are presented, showcasing cultural roots.
The second, more audacious part features personal creations; original masks belonging to no traditional Burkinabe pantheon.
It was precisely this encounter between heritage and innovation that captivated the Prime Minister.
Through their work, the Ouattara brothers demonstrate that Burkinabe art is not prisoner to its past.
It can draw from its ancient sources while resolutely opening itself to contemporary creation; a way of saying that tradition is not a museum but fertile ground for invention.
The diversity of materials is also striking. Wood, of course, occupies a central place, but it dialogues with iron, plastic, paint, tapestry, and even recycled materials.
For the two artists, creating means giving flesh to immaterial ideas, transforming visions into meaningful volumes.
The wooded courtyard of La Villa-Rose is no accident. It reinforces the mystery and depth of this artistic universe, inviting visitors into a true immersion.
The Prime Minister took care to salute the owners of the venue, the couple Moctar Salamatao and Franca Berkvens, who, by hosting this exhibition, actively contribute to promoting Burkinabe talent.
In the guest book, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo left a strong inscription: “Art remains a powerful vector for transmitting values, preserving our identity, and mobilising consciences for the construction of a sovereign, dignified, and prosperous Burkina Faso. May this exhibition further inspire our youth and strengthen our collective commitment to the cultural radiance of our Nation.”
For Assane and Ousséni Ouattara, this exhibition is fully in keeping with the spirit of the SNC.
They see themselves as committed actors, serving a contemporary Burkinabe art that is resolutely attuned to its time yet never disconnected from its living source.
Olivier TOE
