Didier Amévi Ahadji

Born in Vogan, Togo in 1970, Didier Ahadji expressed precocious talent from an early age. He designed, for himself and his childhood friends, toys from various materials, in particular iron. As a teenager, he went every week to the Vogan market to sell his creations.

In 1994, he decided to become a “welding artist” and to live from his true passion, creation. Thus, recovering tin cans, pieces of cars (roofs, doors, hoods), Didier Ahadji cuts, sculpts, assembles, welds and paints metal. As often in Africa, nothing is lost and recycled objects find new life in a modern and magical metempsychosis, often unexpected.

Didier Ahadji's touch sets him apart on the contemporary art scene. His hyperrealistic metallic creations perfectly evoke daily life in black Africa (hard work, frivolity, injustices, hazards and joys of existence, the importance of traditions anchored in modernity, etc.). They challenge us and charm us.

Consecrated by important exhibitions in Japan, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Cuba… the works of Didier Ahadji are now part of large public and private collections. Several catalogs, studies and publications have been devoted to him.

Didier Ahadji lives and works in Lomé (Togo).