Casimir Bationo, known as Caszi, artist-painter of Burkinabe origin who lived in Maputo in Mozambique and currently settled in Meknes in Morocco, has been taking his paintings around the world since 2004. After several training courses in different artistic fields and an apprenticeship with professionals in painting, Casimir Bationo stands out today as an essential painter of his generation in Burkina Faso. A traveling artist, he strives to always broaden his horizons by meeting others and conquering the world. Here is his Interview with Afrique Destinations.
Afrique Destinations: What drove you to paint?
Casimir Bationo: My choice to go to painting was not made immediately. This was done gradually over the course of meetings and experiences. It was first of all the drawing that animated me. Then I discovered the material, the structure made possible by painting. I found in painting what I couldn't find in drawing. This possibility of playing with the material, the colors, the contrasts made me want to go further in this practice.
What kind of pictures or paintings do you do?
I find it difficult to define myself in a “gender”. I consider myself rather as a painter of the "sensitive." Through my faces, those that characterize my work, I tell stories and raise questions related to current events.
Caszi, why did you choose to stay in this genre?
Precisely, I do not think that I stay frozen in a genre. On the contrary. My art is in motion as I am myself. I am young in painting, I still have many avenues to explore, to discover before freezing.
You have lived for a long time in Maputo in Mozambique and for 5 years, you have been living in Morocco. You never stop traveling. Tell us about the recent exhibitions in which you participated?
Indeed, since 2012, I left my Burkina where I have my roots to live new adventures.
I regularly carry out creative residencies and exhibitions in France and the United States. My inspiration is nourished by the human and artistic encounters that I can make while leading this "nomadic" life between these different continents. A meeting always leads to another meeting or to the birth of a project.
Recently, I carried out an exhibition project in St Laurent du Maroni in Guyana as part of the commemoration of the abolition of slavery. I go regularly to the United States, especially to Tucson, Arizona, where I exhibit every year. I also have an exhibition in Asheville, North Carolina that just ended. Other projects are underway but the health crisis we are all facing is slowing them down... but fortunately, I am very lucky to be followed and supported by a network passionate about art and a selection of galleries .
Is it easy for an artist-painter like you to live from his art only in Africa?
As for any artist, European or African, it is important to leave home to explore other horizons and thus become known and multiply exhibitions. This is the lot of all artists.
Which does not mean that there is no network in Africa. On the contrary, visual artists are mobilizing, there are many local initiatives. Festivals, galleries, places of residence exist. There are many possibilities. I was talking about an Africa in "action", that's right.
You have not lived in West Africa for several years. What relationship do you have with your native Burkina?
I travel, but I always come-back. My roots are here, in Burkina. My creation takes its source where I was born.
What is your message to the youngest who would like to take up this profession in the future, for example?
Multiply meetings, train. Try several practices to open your mind. Accept criticism while believing in what we do. Stay true to your art. Stay humble because success does not guarantee the future. The road is still long...
Interview realized by Marcus Boni Teiga
