Welcome
"Art is a place of perfect freedom"
(André SUARÈS, Poet)
El Hadj Malick Souare (art name Soum) was born in the Casamance region of Senegal. He has lived in Mauritania for the last four years where he has developed his art technique and style. As an artist-painter, he specialises in the art techniques of bogolan, acrylic, oil and batik. He also creates traditional musical instruments such as the Djembe, Kora and Ardique (traditional instrument in Mauritania). He has recently worked with the media of wood and iron, creating unique scupture pieces.
Soum has been interested in art since his childhood and nature and animals have been a great source of inspiration for his work. He is self trained and has always been interested in learning new techniques and methods. In studying contemporary art he has deepened his vision of art objects and has always chosen materials and media which allow him to produce art works in a clear process with a definite beginning and end.
Soum has no formal art training but he has developed an extensive and loyal following in his art career. He has traveled extensively in West Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso etc) in his search for inspiration and new art techniques. Whilst his preferred mediums in the past were oil and acrylic on canvas, he has most recently perfected the bogolan art technique, which has its origins in Mali. His subjects include unique contemporary African studies, landscapes, abstracts and portraits amongst numerous others. He has also perfected the technique of using leather as a medium which creates very unique pieces. This versatility and dynamism are evident qualities in his work that succeed in capturing the spirit and character of the African culture and people.
Soum has exhibited in numerous art exhibitions in Mauritania and Senegal. He presently lives in Ireland and has recently exhibited in some local galleries (‘An Culturlann’ – Belfast, ‘Art Forms’ – Carlow) and more recently in the Art Ireland exhibition in 2008.