Koffi Gahou

Koffi Gahou (22 October 1947 – 24 August 2019) was a Beninese artist, actor, and director.

Koffi Gahou
Born(1947-10-22)October 22, 1947
Cotonou
DiedAugust 24, 2019(2019-08-24) (aged 71)
Abomey
NationalityBeninese
OccupationArtist, actor, filmmaker, sculptor, interior decorator, painter, graphic designer

Biography

Gahou was born in Cotonou on October 22, 1947. He studied from 1986 to 1989 at the Institute of Theatrical Studies at the University of Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3, earning a teaching license. From 1985 to 1986 Gahou served an internship at the Conservatoire national supérieur d'art dramatique in Paris and in 1988, had an internship at the Institut international de la marionnette.[1] Beginning in 1974, he was self-educated in the mediums of plastic art, wall tapestry, sculpture, and interior architecture. Gahou joined the civil service as an artist and performed in the "Cerveaux noirs" troupe. Also a founder of the "Zama Hara" theater group, he had several exhibitions of his work in Africa, Europe, Cuba, and the United States.[2]

Gahou created the cloth work "Yovo Helou e, Akowe helou e" in 1990. It depicts slaves with their hands tied behind their backs, and was a great success.[3]

In 2000, Gahou played the stepbrother of Boubacar, a farmer, in Jean Odoutan's film Barbecue Pejo.[4]

In a video statement in April 2019, Gahou demanded to be paid the 30 million CFA Francs that a Beninese MP was ordered to give him by the 3rd Commercial Chamber of the Cotonou Court. The matter stemmed from a 2007 contest that Gahou won but did not receive the prize money.[5]

Gahou died on 24 August 2019 in Abomey. His funeral was held on 25 September.[6]

References
  1. "Carnet noir : L'artiste plasticien Koffi Gahou a tiré sa révérence - Fraternité". Fraternitebj.info (in French). 26 August 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  2. "L'artiste Koffi Gahou a tiré sa révérence". 24haubenin.info (in French). Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  3. Haehnel, Birgit; Ulz, Melanie (2010). Slavery in Art and Literature: Approaches to Trauma, Memory and Visuality. Frank & Timme GmbH. p. 228. ISBN 3865962432.
  4. "Barbecue Pejo". Offi.fr (in French). Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  5. Adanle, Angele (10 April 2019). "Bénin: un influent député doit près de 30 millions de francs CFA à l'artiste Koffi Gahou". Benin Web TV (in French). Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  6. "Bénin: l'artiste comédien Koffi Gahou inhumé ce jour à Abomey". Benin Web TV (in French). 26 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
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