Aboudia was born in 1983 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Abdoulaye Diarrassouba’s artistic journey was profoundly shaped by the tumultuous events following the disputed Ivorian presidential election in late 2010. The riots and subsequent civil war in March 2011 left Ivory Coast, particularly the capital Abidjan, in a state of upheaval. Seeking refuge in a basement studio during this turbulent period, the artist embarked on a compelling body of work that responded to the harrowing political situation gripping the nation.
Renowned for his commanding, large-scale paintings, Aboudia infuses his creations with layers of intensity, skillfully blending innocence and spontaneity with a portrayal of a dark, internal world. His urban landscapes are haunted by armed soldiers, ominous skulls, and a population constrained by violence and peril. Despite their often claustrophobic and oppressive nature, his paintings strike a delicate balance between pathos and aggression. Drawing parallels to Basquiat’s vitality, Aboudia’s work delves into darker undercurrents, evoking a battlefield reminiscent of Goya.
Aboudia’s mastery extends to multi-layered imagery, where he energetically combines characters from his immediate surroundings with fragments of found comic strips, advertising, and media. Enigmatic details weave in and out of focus, revealing themselves gradually upon multiple viewings. His expression of revolt and the explosive, incendiary life in his everyday urban environment evokes the spirit of artists from the great American tradition, with a nod to the casual execution of Twombly and the raw energy of Dubuffet. Aboudia’s unrestrained use of violent figuration serves as a compelling reminder of the power of paint to capture the vitality and chaos of life.