Between Us - Questions and Reflections with Ousmane Ba
In preparation for Ousmane Ba’s second opening night, to which he will attend, we have asked him some questions in hopes that visitors will have a little look into how Ousmane thinks about and sees his own work. We invite you to attend on June 11th, where you can ask questions as well.
'Between Us' is the first in a series of upcoming articles that will include Q&A from the artists, any extra updates, and how we, as a gallery, think about the exhibitions and art. We hope you'll enjoy and support this series, among a couple of others we have created.
1. When someone spends time with your work, what do you hope they notice or feel first?
I hope they feel a sense of freedom.
My art is made to liberate: to free the mind, free the body, free possibilities. Many of my figures float, hover, or resist gravity because they embody a desire to overcome the limits that society, history, or even our own fears place upon us.
When I paint, I experience a deep sense of freedom. My hope is that viewers can feel some of that same energy and carry it with them after encountering the work.
2. What part of making art do you enjoy the most, and what part is the hardest?
The part I enjoy most is working on the tension within the body, especially in the muscles and gestures of my figures.
For me, emotion lives in those details. A slight shift in posture can completely change the feeling of a painting. It is through these tensions that I can communicate vulnerability, strength, hope, or uncertainty.
The hardest part is often knowing when a work is finished. A painting can always be pushed further, but at some point you have to trust it and let it go into the world.
3. Is your work more about expressing something or understanding something?
I think it is more about understanding.
My studio is a kind of dream laboratory. Through painting, I explore questions rather than answers. The works become spaces where memories, desires, fears, and possibilities can coexist.
Each person brings their own experiences to the work, so what they discover often tells them as much about themselves as it does about me.
4. Are there places you return to, physically or mentally, when you need inspiration?
Books have often been important to me, but recently I have been finding inspiration in craftsmanship and traditional knowledge.
Living in Japan has deeply influenced my relationship with materials and making. Whether it is papermaking, textiles, or other forms of craft, I am fascinated by the patience, dedication, and transmission of knowledge across generations.
These practices remind me that creation is not only about producing objects, but also about preserving and transforming culture.
5. If your work had a soundtrack, what would it sound like?
It would probably sound like a conversation between Afrobeats and Kid Cudi.
Afrobeats bring movement, energy, rhythm, and connection to community. Kid Cudi brings introspection, dreaming, and emotional depth.
My work exists somewhere between those two worlds: grounded in collective histories yet always reaching toward imagined futures.
GALLERY THOUGHTS
Ousmane’s work is truly beautiful, and as he mentions in his answers, you can feel the motions or tension he puts in his work using the movements of the human body. Personally, his work has a simple beauty that conveys more than simple emotions. With the use of colors and shapes, I appreciate Ousmane’s view on being very specific about the shift in posture. Those who may not be as familiar with the art world or how you can look deeply into an object/subject can still enjoy the levels of depth that Ousmane's work creates.
What are your thoughts and reflections? We hope you’ll join us in the gallery to find out!
- Rachel, UltraSuperNew KURA Gallery Assistant
