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Talle Bamazi: b. 1966 (Togolese)
Talle Bamazi: The Breathing Soul of Our Ancestors

A visionary, born in Kara, Togo West Africa, and a painter who can best be described as an artist with more than a canvas, Talle Bamazi has a story; and a mission which is to engulf society in the ways of the West. He set out to show the world that Africa means more than violence. It has a soul and a purpose. He uses his gift of the brush to educate, instruct, and give people a sense that the past is worth studying; for the past dictates the future.

Arriving in New York in 1995, with absolutely no understanding of the English language he embarked upon what was the most challenging adventure of his life. His quest for knowledge led him to the New York Student Art League, where he educated himself on American culture in order to infiltrate his vision into a world full of cultural differences

He continued his education at the New York Academy of Art and graduated with Masters. This endeavor fueled the desire to take his goal of cultural harmony to a wider audience by using a gallery as a way for his vision to prosper. Talle Bamazi brought the vision to life by creating a gallery where African and African American artists can display their souls through art.

He achieved this goal in Columbus, Ohio in 2003 in founding KIACA Gallery to function as a place of culture - a place where the past can be preserved. His artwork shows the passion of his beloved Africa. You will see in his paintings a history, a soul, a time that once had been forgotten now is being told and remembered. He has chosen to use the many obstacles in his life and his passion for African culture as the inspiration for his art. Yes, to tell the story of his beloved land, the motherland, the land that has experienced suffering, pain, loss, and triumph is his mission. Today Talle Bamazi continues his quest to realize, expand and even surpass his artistic vision.

"The Breathing Soul of our Ancestors"
Project Description

Many African Kings, Queens and Leaders have made tremendous contributions to the world with their traditional livelihoods in the African, African American and African Diaspora communities. Their traditions, myths, and legions were passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation, but lost in time. American traditions have been a way of life for centuries but African traditions are cultural, with stories to tell. They are part of an intimate, spiritual experience. The "Breathing Soul of our Ancestors" is a unique art project unlike any other; as in the floor of Africa, there are parts untouched by man made material. My art project is an expression of that tradition in oil on linen. These 364 paintings will be 100 x 81in. and will explore the past African cultural tradition with present traditional Renaissance painting techniques.

Through many art forms such as painting, music, sculpture, and photography we can educate the African, African American, and African Diaspora communities on their traditions and ancestry. This project will educate society using a formalist medium to showcase conceptual African imagery in a contemporary world. In order to overcome obstacles from the past we must study the past and implement its lessons into the future. The Breathing Soul of our Ancestors is a collection of KIACA Museum in Columbus, OH and will travel throughout the world, including Europe and Africa.

The vision to make this work came after reflecting on my parents and generations past, their ideals and traditions, and how those influences made them the great men and women they are today.

My culture has distinct traditions that separate the men from the boys; the girls from the women; the civilians from the leaders. My goal in this work is to accentuate the strengths of my people by highlighting their historical strength and togetherness as seen in their mythological traditions.

African, African American and African in Diaspora art typically focuses on cultural objects used in daily life as seen in photographs and in books. "The Breathing Soul of our Ancestors" will visually dramatize what society has lost in books, forcing the viewer to see deeper, re-connecting with the untold story - the soul and spirit of Africa. The story I will tell will start with eleven living griot's, which simply means they have a story to tell through their own artistic ability. These stories will be assisted by African traditions that will accompany their legacy. The first set of griots whose artistic ability is painting are Bamazi Talle (Togo, Africa) Amina Robinson (Columbus, Oh), Ron Anderson (Columbus, Oh), Pheoris West (Philadelphia, PA) and Queen Brooks (Columbus, Oh). The next set of griots whose artistic ability is photography are Kojo Kamau (Columbus, Oh), Abdi Roble and Tariq Tarey (Somali, West Africa). Following them will be griots with artistic ability of sculpturing are Omar Shahid (Columbus, Oh), and Gideon Nyanhongo (Harare, Zimbabwe). The last griots whose artistic ability is music are Wynton Marsalis (New Orleans, La) and John Clayton (Venice, Ca).

Once completed, the works will be donated to the KIACA Museum's permanent collection and then placed on exhibit after they had made their way across the ocean to the African Continent for show casing at art institutions.

As the pieces travel, they will be shown with complimenting bibliographies for each artist, and panel discussions will be offered to instruct and educate the viewers on the different art mediums and traditional art practices. One day the pieces will become highly sought after artifacts because of their great history and information that has not been visually portrayed before. I must preserve the past of the African continent so the children of the African decent will benefit from having tangible pieces of their history accessible to them no matter where they live. I will dedicate my visions, strongest efforts, and available resources to their creation so the children may see first-time of their origins represented in this large scale. We owe to the future generations and accurate account of our history and tradition. I will use African historians such as Dr. Emanuel Okechukwu Odita, OSU Professor of African History and also Dr. Frank Eguaroje, Professor of African Art History at Wilburforce University in Springfield, Ohio and others from Germany, Africa, and England to assist in my research.

The Breathing Soul of our Ancestors project will make an impression, leave a legacy, and impart the knowledge of culture and tradition of Africa to generations to come.

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