Franco-Cameroonian artist Fred Ebami has coined the phrase "New Pop" to describe his contemporary interpretation of the Pop Art genre. He finds a balance between celebration and satire in his portraits of celebrities, such as this image of American rapper Kanye West dressed as Mobutu Sese Seko, former leader of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Yes we KANye, 2012.
Franco-Cameroonian artist Fred Ebami has coined the phrase "New Pop" to describe his contemporary interpretation of the Pop Art genre. He finds a balance between celebration and satire in his portraits of celebrities, such as this image of American rapper Kanye West dressed as Mobutu Sese Seko, former leader of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Yes we KANye, 2012.
Fred Ebami
His work reimagines Pop Art through an African lens. In this image Ebami shows the relationship between his African roots, in the figure wearing a traditional "juju hat," and a sense of global community, in the movement of a shared dance. Juju Brown, 2019.
His work reimagines Pop Art through an African lens. In this image Ebami shows the relationship between his African roots, in the figure wearing a traditional "juju hat," and a sense of global community, in the movement of a shared dance. Juju Brown, 2019.
Fred Ebami
Ebami's work echoes the stylistic images produced by artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein in the 1950s. The Arc on Fire, 2019.
Ebami's work echoes the stylistic images produced by artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein in the 1950s. The Arc on Fire, 2019.
Fred Ebami
Ebami works digitally, using only a computer mouse to draw with. Some of his works parody classic Pop Art images, such as this piece inspired by Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans. This image shows a traditional north African soup, part of a series where Ebami hoped to "pick up where Warhol left his collection," showing soups from around the world. Chorba, GRAND BLED SOUP, 2021.
Ebami works digitally, using only a computer mouse to draw with. Some of his works parody classic Pop Art images, such as this piece inspired by Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans. This image shows a traditional north African soup, part of a series where Ebami hoped to "pick up where Warhol left his collection," showing soups from around the world. Chorba, GRAND BLED SOUP, 2021.
Fred Ebami
Like some of Warhol's work, Ebami's 2012 piece "Burger Queen" takes inspiration from the logo of a consumer product.
Like some of Warhol's work, Ebami's 2012 piece "Burger Queen" takes inspiration from the logo of a consumer product.
Fred Ebami
He has faced criticism in more traditional art circles on the African continent for working digitally. This image reflects on Ebami's youth in Cameroon, representing the area of Douala where he grew up. Kwatta, 2021.
He has faced criticism in more traditional art circles on the African continent for working digitally. This image reflects on Ebami's youth in Cameroon, representing the area of Douala where he grew up. Kwatta, 2021.
Fred Ebami
He likes to include references to his Cameroonian heritage in his works, including the patterns found in traditional textiles, as in this modern interpretation of a traditional textile. Ebami says that many of the original designs have disappeared due to colonialism. Ali, 2020.
He likes to include references to his Cameroonian heritage in his works, including the patterns found in traditional textiles, as in this modern interpretation of a traditional textile. Ebami says that many of the original designs have disappeared due to colonialism. Ali, 2020.
Fred Ebami
His portraiture celebrates African icons, such as Cameroonian musician Andre-Marie Tala. Tala, 2021.
His portraiture celebrates African icons, such as Cameroonian musician Andre-Marie Tala. Tala, 2021.
Fred Ebami
This piece shows Nigerian musician and Afrobeat innovator Fela Kuti. Fela Soup, 2021.
This piece shows Nigerian musician and Afrobeat innovator Fela Kuti. Fela Soup, 2021.
Fred Ebami
After a childhood in a suburb of Paris, Ebami spent his teenage years in Cameroon immersed in Cameroonian culture and music. He was particularly influenced by saxophonist Manu Dibango. Manu Forever, 2019.
After a childhood in a suburb of Paris, Ebami spent his teenage years in Cameroon immersed in Cameroonian culture and music. He was particularly influenced by saxophonist Manu Dibango. Manu Forever, 2019.
Fred Ebami
By teaching master classes across the region Ebami hopes to share the joy of digital art with the next generation of African creatives. Takesh, 2021.
By teaching master classes across the region Ebami hopes to share the joy of digital art with the next generation of African creatives. Takesh, 2021.
Fred Ebami
Through his work he aims to challenge damaging Western narratives surrounding Africa. According to Ebami, this image represents the strength and resilience of Black African women, who are too often fetishized in the West. Not Your Exotism, 2020.
Through his work he aims to challenge damaging Western narratives surrounding Africa. According to Ebami, this image represents the strength and resilience of Black African women, who are too often fetishized in the West. Not Your Exotism, 2020.
Fred Ebami
Ebami wants to show to the world a positive side of Africa he feels is often missing from Western media. This portrait is of Fatou Mané, queen of the Senegalese village of Sipo, inspired by the work of photojournalist Daniel Allen. Queen of Sipo, 2020.
Ebami wants to show to the world a positive side of Africa he feels is often missing from Western media. This portrait is of Fatou Mané, queen of the Senegalese village of Sipo, inspired by the work of photojournalist Daniel Allen. Queen of Sipo, 2020.
Fred Ebami
Despite serious themes, his artworks are full of love and optimism for the African continent. Toy Soldia, 2021.
Despite serious themes, his artworks are full of love and optimism for the African continent. Toy Soldia, 2021.
Fred Ebami