Cyrille Ondoua: From culture to art

CAMEROON

Cyrille Ondoua is a young Cameroonian artist with a passion for art and culture. He works with wood, stone, plaster and concrete to create all kinds of sculptures. His works are beautiful, as evidenced by the many visitors to his studio. Artiaf went to meet him to find out more.

Ondoua Cyrille Gullit is a 40-year-old sculptor from southern Cameroon. He speaks the Bulu ethnic group and lives in Yaoundé, the capital of the Republic of Cameroon. Today, this art enthusiast fascinates with the quality and originality of his works. But how did it all start?

As a teenager, Cyrille initially wanted to prosper in the retail business by selling ebony to individuals. But, he realized right away that he wouldn't make much money selling only raw boit. Indeed, a kilogram of ebony wood was sold at 25 CFA francs in the locality at that time.

However, Cyrille has an advantage. He has an aptitude for drawing that he discovered in elementary school. In 2002, the artist had the ingenious idea of transforming ebony wood himself, a raw material at hand, without delay. As a self-taught artist, he began to design sketches and make art objects. He then discovered beautiful art, particularly wood sculpture, which he fell in love with.

After graduating from high school in 2004 at the Lycée d'Edom, the young sculptor entered an artistic training institute where he learned concrete and plaster modelling and stone sculpture. This apprenticeship offers many possibilities, including the aesthetic expression of the cultural, traditional and identity values of the peoples of Africa.

After his training, Cyrille opened his workshop and developed his activities in Mbalmayo, a town located 45 km from Yaoundé. With work tools that he makes himself, everything goes, wood, stone or plaster. There, he amazes the audience. His professionalism and talent are unquestionable. His works are exceptionally beautiful. You can discover portraits, busts, lighting, pens, shoes and fashion accessories, ndjembes, crockery, furniture, etc. This has even earned him invitations to trade fairs, cultural fairs and several other events in Cameroon.

However, the income from his activity is not up to his expectations. The young sculptor would like to have more commissions to better boost his business. His current clientele is not enough to turn his art into a profitable business. Hence his fight: to solve at all costs the difficulties that hinder the development of his business. Finding simple, sustainable solutions to get more Africans to consume African art.

Finally, to all those who, like him, would like to learn in the field of art, especially sculpture, Cyrille recommends that they love the profession, work regularly, improve themselves, remain positive and patient.

Armel Séverin Mbembo