What if masks sometimes reveal more than faces do? This is the question at the heart of artist Felix Agossa Kossi’s new exhibition, entitled "When Masks Come to Life.”
Through this exhibition, the artist explores a conviction shaped by his own journey: at one point or another, everyone wears a mask to conceal part of their true nature. It sometimes takes time, careful observation and patience to discover what lies behind appearances.
This fascination with masks also resonates with ancient traditions, in which they were associated with the sacred, mystery and profound symbolic meaning.
To bring his artistic universe to life, Felix Agossa Kossi combines a variety of materials and techniques, including stone, canvas, paint, wood and mixed media. His works feature distinctive characters, often infused with gentle humor, yet always deeply human.
Through these figures, the artist ultimately holds up a mirror to ourselves. Behind their expressions, postures and masks emerge our own contradictions, outward appearances and secrets.
"When Masks Come to Life” is therefore an invitation to look beyond appearances and rediscover the world of an artist who has never stopped creating, even when his work remained out of the public eye.
The exhibition runs from September 23 to October 24 at the Institut français du Bénin.