Francis Offman

This work has been kindly donated by the artist

Hong Kong, Herald St, Galleries, Art Basel, 2023

Originally from Rwanda, Offman has lived in Italy since his early childhood, currently residing and working in the Italian city of Bologna. His abstract compositions, while devoid of literal representation, bear the weight of narratives entwined with local and global histories. Offman's wall pieces and installations emerge from the creative transformation of reclaimed materials, including gifted and discarded fabrics, used coffee grounds, expired bandages, and bits of paper, meticulously painted and assembled. His artworks serve as an intricate tapestry of textures and layers, drawing from diverse visual and historical influences. Each element within his creations is laden with symbolism, from the discarded bandages sourced from the Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna (MAMbo) to coffee grounds collected systematically over many months. Offman's deliberate choice of materials, such as Bolognese plaster and coffee, reflects a fusion of his birthplace's significance as a coffee-producing nation and his current home in Italy where coffee holds a revered status.