'african spirits' by samuel fosso at jean marc patras / galerie, paris

african spirits at: jean marc patras / galerie, paris from: october14th – december 20th, 2008

‘african spirits’ is a series of 14 autoportraits by photographer samuel fosso. the exhibition brings together fosso’s concept of reinterpreting photographic icons of the great cultural leaders and minds from independent african states, the civil rights movement in the US or black cultural monuments. his autoportraits include portrayals of mandela, miles davis, martin luther king, malcolm X or muhammad ali.

‘…as in all my works, I am both character and director. I don’t put myself in the photographs: my work is based on specific situations and people I am familiar with, things I desire, rework in my imagination and afterward, I interpret. I borrow an identity. in order to succeed, I immerse myself in the necessary physical and mental state. it’s a way of freeing me from myself. a solitary path. i am a solitary man.’ – SF

photo © samuel fosso

photo © samuel fosso

photo © samuel fosso

photo © samuel fosso

photo © samuel fosso

photo © samuel fosso

more: http://www.jeanmarcpatras.com