Dominique Zinkpè

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner in 2010

Brussels, Fine Art Studio, Metamorphoses, 2011, illustrated in the catalogue p. 101

Roger-Pierre Turine, Les Destins de Zinkpè, Paris, 2013, illustrated p. 33

The canvas is unlined. Approximately 49cm. from the left hand framing edge, there is a seam where the canvas has been joined from top to bottom, this appears to be the artist's intent. The reverse of the work shows where the two pieces of canvas have been glued together. There are various surface marks throughout, all of which appear to be contemporary with the creation of the work. There is a protrusion to the upper right hand quadrant measuring approximately 1cm. Squared. There is a dent to the canvas in the upper left hand quadrant of the work measuring approximately 2cm. Squared. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals no signs of restoration or repair. The work is in good condition.
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The present work is exemplary of Zinkpè signature style. Intrigued by the notion of animism, the belief that all things are alive, Zinkpè’s figures present themselves as unfamiliar beings that appear to effortlessly move within, and even beyond, the confines of the canvas. Exhibiting a surrealist quality, Zinkpè works are not grounded in rationality; instead, they seem to tap into the ethereal, the unexplained and even elements of voodoo. Murmures II highlights the artist’s mastery of colour as layers of black, white, red, blue and yellow effortlessly meld together within this dynamic composition, pulling viewers into a world of ritualism and magic. Works such as this one by Zinkpè are simultaneously unsettling as well as deeply intriguing. The artist’s works explore a variety of themes including mysticism, religion and cultural conflict within his home country of Benin.