By PRISCA SAM-DURU
ABOUT 10 of about 30 paintings which are expected to decorate the walls of the exhibition hall of  Quintessence Gallery, according to the graduate of College of Art, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Ghana, would go a long way in fostering cultural integration among African Countries.

Yves, aka, Midy, decided to take the issue of hospitality seriously because of the hearty hospitality reception he has received since he has been fraternising with Nigeria  in the past six years.

The calm but meticulous artist who has discovered Nigeria as a very interesting platform to showcase his abilities as well as a ground for making fortune out of his God given talent, noted in an interview that, “I feel good coming to Nigeria in the last six years and I will like people to feel good wherever they go. My experience has indeed transformed my life and I have been able to express it in my works in this exhibition”.

*One of Midy's works to be exhibited

Midy’s detailed and articulate approach to art often berth very unique works which are quite evident in Woezon

It is interesting to know that the talented artist since arriving the country, has attended the Harmattan Workshop founded by master artist, Prof. Bruce Onabrakpeya in Agharator, an experience which earned him the ability to speak fairly good English and upgrading of his ability.

The beautiful and colourful works; My door is open, Welcome, Attoo, The United Family, Living together, Satisfaction, Coming Back, Humilite, La Sage, Ma Poite St Ovverte, etc will surely delight viewers due to compositions that are awe-inspiring. Midy’s style which he calls, traces,his technique  and  approach to  art which make for stunning output, are different, such that he appears in a world of his own.

The use of mats, a reflection of Togolese culture where mats replace beds, the artist noted, is a product of a personal research he conducted in Ghana some years back. Some of his experience during the research, lead to the discovery of styles which he was not taught in school and the experiment, he said, has so far undergone a lot of metamorphosis. “I make use of any material that appeals to me which of course are relevant to whatever I have in mind to produce.” He said.

Midy’s creativity and neatness  are quite magnetic which speaks of why he has had several exhibitions in France, Senegal, Ghana, Canada, Togo, America, China and  Cote d’ Ivoire. In 2008 and 2009, he participated in the first and second regional summit and exhibition on visual arts(ARESUVA) in Abuja.

In Nigeria, aside participating in group exhibitions, Woezon is his second solo exhibition after Ablode, his first solo outing at the Quintessence gallery. He has so far received encouraging appreciation here in Nigeria as he enjoyed the opportunity of showcasing new approaches to his works at the International Arts Expo in Lagos.