Background & Biography:
The internationally renowned and famous Gambian painter and printmaker,
(Modou) Modou Ceesay, has been engaged in the arts for over three
decades. He owns and runs an art studio and gallery called Kyor
Art Gallery which is located in his local base at Bakau, though
he has spent many years in the United States and continues to
travel abroad.
He lived for a short while in the Swiss Cottage area of London,
UK, back in the late 1980's, with his wife and son, where he produced
among other works 'Genesis' - 1989.
He was born in the Gambia's capital, Banjul, in 1945 where he
also received his early school education.
Ceesay is a self-taught yet, a talented artist who embarked on
his long-burning passion for painting after receiving a Bachelor's
Degree in literature and languages in 1970 from the Wesleyan University
in Connecticut (USA). It is therefore not surprising to learn
that he is also an accomplished author writing his most recent
novel titled 'On My Knees Before These Mighty Heavens' (Walsworth
- Pub. 2007). He has also taught his craft for example as a teaching
instructor at the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts in the US.
Some of his original works can be viewed at many prestigious institutions
in the US such as at DuPont, AT&T, Citibank & Chase Manhattan
to name but a few. Other works can be found in museums as far
away as New Zealand. He has collaborated with other artists in
Gambia over the years for example with Njogou Touray and the graphic
designer Lamin Marennah to create the Banjul AU Summit's logo
which was held in 2006.
He sees his works as an examination of images that instil beliefs
that are in line with his own cultural inheritance and much of
his productions are inspired by his own childhood stories he heard
while growing up as a youth in Banjul. His paintings are created
using watercolour and acrylic paint and applied in his own distinct
way which clearly shows his individualistic approach to his subjects.
He believes strongly in promoting the arts to local schoolchildren
as well as displaying the works of other local talent which he
selects for display at his Kyor Gallery. He has also been attendant
at the Art Educational & Cultural Trust Civil Society Forum
of the Gambia.
Contact Details:
See the Kyor Gallery
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Culture
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