Wadjouma koné
Cloth painter, c. 1925–1977
Zékaha, Côte d‘Ivoire
Wadjouma Koné painting a handwoven cotton cloth with plant dyes. Photo: Karl-Heinz Krieg, Zékaha, 1975.
The tradition of cloth painting was not inherited in Wadjouma Koné’s family; neither his father nor his grandfather practised this art. In conversations with Karl-Heinz Krieg, Wadjouma explained that he began painting around 1972.
“The spirits (touhoulé) told me to paint if I wanted to be successful in hunting. Therefore, I was compelled to do it.”
According to Wadjouma, the motifs and compositions were entirely his own inventions. In everyday life, he was primarily a farmer and hunter. He painted only on Fridays, a sacred day among the Senufo when agricultural work was prohibited.
In 1975, Wadjouma Koné created a remarkable painting on cloth depicting scenes from Senufo life. Commissioned by Karl-Heinz Krieg, he produced a remarkable series of highly detailed painted cloths.
Painted cloth by Wadjouma Koné featuring elaborate figurative motifs. Created on commission for Karl-Heinz Krieg in 1975. H. 85 x 155 cm.
Painted cloth by Wadjouma Koné, created on commission in 1975. H. 100 x 145 cm.
Senufo farmer and hunter wearing a shirt painted by Wadjouma Koné. Photo: Karl-Heinz Krieg, Zékaha, 1976.
Wadjouma Koné, wearing his old hunting shirt (flabourou), standing in front of two cloths he painted. Photo: Karl-Heinz Krieg, Zékaha, 1975.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Private notes taken in the field, Karl-Heinz Krieg