Gatien Mabounga

Born December 19, 1964 in POINTE NOIRE - CONGO.

Lives and works in BLOIS (41) - FRANCE.

Resides in France since 1989.

While following technical studies in boiler making, he learned to love leather from his father, a printer-binder.

In 1983 he devoted himself mainly to bookbinding, there he was interested in the methods of embossed leather and gilding.

In 1984 he began to create leather mosaic images;

Numerous exhibitions in CONGO, as well as one in LIBREVILLE - GABON.

Then the leather gradually becomes the medium of his painting, which draws from it a vital impetus and vehemence, until his abandonment for the reinforced paper.

He also uses various supports for his works: felt, canvas, wood panel, papers that he sticks and tears according to his desires, etc., but whatever the medium, it is the drawing that remains at the heart of his work.

For four years he has explored new territories: hemp or polypropylene ropes are installed on panels, glued or sewn, packaging nets recovered from here and there create landscapes or indicate details.