FORGED BONDS
The exhibition "Forged Bonds" by Senegalese-Swiss artist Momar Seck highlights unity in diversity, the ties that bind us, and the beauty that emerges when differences are not only acknowledged but embraced and woven into the very fabric of our shared human experience.
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Each of Momar Seck’s works is a metaphor for how human and cultural relationships are forged, developed, and strengthened despite apparent differences. The materials he uses—textiles, metals, wood, cardboard, and various other materials recovered from his immediate environment—carry symbolic significance. They embody both fragmentation and union, reminding us that beauty and strength often arise from the blending, the assembly of fragments, interculturality, and heritage. The artist’s paintings, vibrant and colorful on fragments of textiles connected to one another, extend this reflection. Each reclaimed fabric tells a story, a past, a distinct cultural identity, while contributing to a collective work that expresses a desire for unity and change.
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The recurring appearance of birds in Momar Seck’s paintings is not accidental. The artist is fascinated by the colorful diversity of these creatures. Birds, universal symbols of freedom and migration, here embody both physical journeys and spiritual and intellectual paths. Just as the canoes in his sculptures evoke the hopes and perils of migrants, the birds in his paintings symbolize the universal desire for movement, discovery, and transformation. In Momar Seck’s work, they become living metaphors for the invisible connections that link individuals and cultures, connections that, like the flight of birds, transcend distances and differences.
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"Forged Bonds" is an exhibition that invites us to reflect on what connects us as human beings, beyond geographical, cultural, or social boundaries. Through his art, Momar Seck shows us that even the most disparate elements can be brought together to create something strong and beautiful—a poignant message on the importance of diversity and unity in an increasingly interconnected world.
MOMAR SECK
Momar Seck, a visual artist, painter, and sculptor of Senegalese-Swiss origin, is both a global citizen and a conduit of knowledge. He graduated from the National School of Arts in Dakar in 1994, where he stood out as the top of his class. He continued his training at the Geneva School of Fine Arts thanks to a scholarship from the Swiss Federal Commission for Culture. In 2012, he earned a PhD in Fine Arts from the University of Strasbourg, solidifying his expertise in the artistic field.
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Renowned for his innovative creations and artistic commitment, Momar Seck has been honored with numerous awards, including the prestigious UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of Visual Arts in 2004.
He currently holds the position of Head of the Arts and Design Department at the International School of Geneva, an institution where he has dedicated three decades of his life to teaching, including ten years as the head of the department. After a long stay in Europe, he chose to return to Senegal in 2022, driven by the desire to contribute to the cultural development of his homeland.
In August 2024, he returned to Switzerland to continue his work at the International School of Geneva, where he continues his mission of passing on artistic knowledge, while remaining deeply connected to his African roots.
Momar Seck’s work is deeply rooted in the essential values of Africa. Through his creations, he seeks to raise awareness on themes such as the environment, interculturality, and identity. His artistic approach focuses particularly on the use of recycled materials and objects, especially textiles.
Textile, as his material of choice, carries within it the stories of the societies from which it originates, and it is precisely this rich narrative that the artist exploits to create a dialogue between peoples and cultures. The fragments of fabric, assembled and glued together, embody a desire for personal transformation and exchange with others. They symbolize a profound desire for unity and cohesion, thus illustrating the artist’s commitment to art that is meaningful and fosters human connection.
Momar Seck regularly exhibits in both Europe and Senegal, further solidifying his status as an internationally renowned artist. He has participated in numerous prestigious exhibitions around the world, including in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland (notably at the Palais des Nations, the Rath Museum in Geneva, and the Kunsthalle in Bern), the United States, Cuba, and Dakar. He has been selected and exhibited several times in the IN, the official section of the Dakar Biennale, since its first edition in 1996 and at the Senegal Pavilion at the Museum of Black Civilizations in 2022. These participations represent only a part of his impressive artistic journey.
