Ibrahim Koné, fine art and photographer based in Cocody, Côte d'Ivoire

Ibrahim Koné (KibrArt), is a young Ivorian artist born in 2001 in Abobo (Abidjan). He’s a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts d'Abidjan, now known as the École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques, d’Architecture et de Design (ESAPAD).

During his academic journey, he discovered artistic photography, a medium through which he expanded his field of expression alongside his painting practice.

His work explores the connections between painting and photographic imagery, between identity and representation, within an approach that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in Ivorian culture.

He has participated in several group exhibitions in Abidjan, including the Réminiscence Festival Competition, the Alberto Cortina Prize, and the World Photography Day in Côte d’Ivoire, organized in collaboration with RAICI.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I am a young artist seeking to build a bridge between history and African practices, from ancient traditions to their modern evolution. I create to connect yesterday’s Africa with today’s world.

Often feeling a prisoner of my emotions, art has become my way to express and share them, allowing me to find inner freedom.

How did you first get into photography?

I used to capture images while in secondary school with a smartphone, mainly for friends, family, and classmates. These moments were pure happiness and sparked my genuine interest in photography.

After obtaining my baccalaureate, I continued my academic studies at the School of Fine Arts in Abidjan, where I purchased my first camera and truly began practicing photography. I followed the work of inspiring artists such as Aïda Muluneh, N'cho Jean-Louis, Ishola Akpo to develop my own artistic identity.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche?

I specialise in fine art because it allows photography to become a medium for expressing my artistic vision, my message, and my emotions, rather than focusing solely on surrealism. Every research project, journey, encounter with other artists, and piece of advice is an opportunity to enrich and deepen my work.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

The theme that inspires my photography is “Freedom of expression in social inter-communication.” To create a connection with others through my work, I engage with current events and create pieces based on my personal experiences, knowing that there are others who share similar situations.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

I am most proud of the encouragement and gratitude I receive. But the greatest reward comes when young people like me, from other countries, ask me for advice on how to build their careers while excelling and staying true to themselves.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

My greatest challenge has been to produce well-crafted work while staying true to myself. To this day, this challenge remains, and I have become an example for some.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

I would choose to collaborate with the painter Obou Gbai, as I admire the way he explores identity through the cultural masks worn by his characters. His pictorial universe would dialogue with mine — that of photography — where my own subjects are “masked differently.”

I believe that this encounter between our two visual languages could give rise to a sensitive conversation between tradition and modernity, between painting and imagery, between what is shown and what is hidden.

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

54Ruum is a platform that does exceptional work. It is also a platform that showcases the future leading creatives of Africa.

How's the photography and art space in your country: how has it evolved in recent years?

Here in Ivory Coast, photography is rapidly evolving and is gradually finding its place, which was not the case in the past compared to pictorial or sculptural art. Today, however, art galleries are beginning to embrace other forms of expression, including photography, and are trying to create a balance or dialogue between these different artistic practices.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

Never stop learning new things to propel your work forward, and remember that we are always beginners at something, even in the field we practice.