Degan Glele Constantin: From salesman to art creator

BENIN

The Centre for the Promotion of Handicrafts in the Gbégamey district of Cotonou, Benin, is attracting many vocations. Indeed, Degan Glele Constantin, who has been selling works of art in the said center for a few months, has put his hands in the dough by creating his own works, especially paintings on canvas. For a start, it's a masterstroke. Ambitious, the young artist dreamed of becoming one of the greatest painters on the black continent. Artiaf went to meet him.

At 26 years old, Degan Glele Constantin is an ambitious and talented budding craftsman. He holds a scientific baccalaureate obtained in 2011. But, failing to pursue his higher education properly, Constantine looked for odd jobs to get by. It was then that he was employed as an art seller at the Centre for the Promotion of Handicrafts in Gbégamey in Cotonou. There, he discovered and marveled at the talent of the craftsmen on the one hand, and by the beauty of the works of art produced in this place on the other.

At his boss's house, Constantin is in charge of presenting and selling the products made available to customers to customers. There are paintings, jewellery, miniatures, toys, sculptures and basketry. In front of visitors, the salesperson has no trouble convincing his customers. He eloquently describes and presents the pieces, helping to boost his shop's sales. He is more passionate about his job and regularly documents himself on the internet. This allowed him to learn very quickly about the art, particularly its history, the materials used to make the pieces, the various branches of the trade, the artistic inspiration, the manufacturing processes and the tastes of the customers.

"A few tweaks to the customers' boards"

Sometimes confronted with the demands of certain buyers, Constantin learns to make some adjustments to the customers' paintings himself in order to better satisfy them. He applies himself so well that he himself is amazed by his own achievements. He enjoyed drawing to the point of falling in love with drawing. He then decided to devote himself entirely to it.

A painting by Constantine

Little by little, outside of his working hours in the craft village, the young painter practiced and practiced his skills. He was introduced to the production of abstract paintings, landscape paintings and self-portraits based on his daily life. As a trick for drawing, Constantin was inspired by the paintings he sold to his customers by trying to replicate them. Equipped with his only brush and a few oil paints that he could obtain at the centre with other craftsmen, the young painter set to work tirelessly.

Another painting by the artist

Unable to exhibit his paintings at the center, customers do not have access to Constantine's pieces at the moment. Only netizens and some of his friends can enjoy the fruits of his labor. Criticism sometimes comes from his more seasoned friends, but many customers on social networks appreciate it. Artmajeur.com the famous website specialized in the sale of works of art has even validated and published three (3) paintings by the young artist.

Ambitious, he wants to succeed and reach the top

Constantine thinks big. Ambitious, he is keen to succeed and reach the top. He knows he has to fight hard to get there. Just like the greatest painters of this world. Only, the path to get there is quite difficult. There are many obstacles. Indeed, Constantine struggled to acquire some more professional materials. In addition, his work as a salesman in the craft village does not leave him much time to draw. It is only at nightfall that the artist can get to work. This is why the young designer is looking for a more favourable environment in which to exhibit his works. But for now, Constantin Degan Glele is continuing his apprenticeship while dreaming of one day making a name for himself around the world.

Armel Séverin MBEMBO