Mariette Kouame
Image taken of Mariette Kouame at Bushman Cafe by Zainab Floyd.
Mariette Kouame is an Ivorian multi-disciplinary artist and singer. She is the founder and creator of La Nich an Instagram page that highlights Ivorian artists based in Abidjan; each post is an interview and or a minute-long video of the artist performing. She also manages “The Garage Hub” , a creative space with a team of four people organizing exhibitions, spoken word, and open mics. I met Mariette at the Bushman Cafe, I first learned about her through a friend as I was building my research on African women artists who are based in Cote d’Ivoire. Mariette and I sat at a wooden table in the center of the cafe. The cool breeze and bristling of palm trees set the tone for the evening. We spoke over delicious greasy food under a night sky lined with a full moon and stars. Kouame was inspired to create “La Nich” in 2022, after she watched the YouTube series Colors and NPR tiny desk, it is a segment on YouTube featuring musicians, singers, and rappers. She spoke with her hands as she said “I told myself that it would be cool to have a kind of media like that. Something for people here. Because we have a lot of talent here and people need to see it. First it was about music but we have different kinds of artists. We can’t just do music.” She wanted to create a series that was similar to Colors and NPR Tiny Desk, a performance segment that highlights the artists talent and also allows for them to perform an intimate setting. La Nich’s vivid colors, and studio space are definitely informed by Colors and NPR Tiny Desk.
Images provided by Mariette Kouame’s instagram page.
As a gift her uncle bought her a Nikon point and shoot camera this prompted her to use her friends as her muses for her photoshoots. It was there that she taught herself about the uses of the camera. Through an exchange of collaboration and community Mariette defined herself as a photographer. She wanted to share African narratives and most of all depict the importance of color all around her. In Mariette’s photographic work she captures people behind colorful studio backgrounds or ethereal environments such as the blue ocean or clear skies. Often her subjects in her works are captured intimately with eyes shut or with a subtle gaze. Upon witnessing Mariette’s work, one can feel as if they are being immersed into her world, a world of color and splendor. Côte d’Ivoire is a colorful country, and it is important for Mariette to portray those colors in her work. We met twice during my stay in Abidjan, the next day I sat in for a live taping of La Nich in their studio. La Nich consists of a team of four. Many of the artists I came in contact with have an array of talent and Mariette is one of them. She is a renaissance woman who extends her talents into her community but most importantly she is creating safe spaces that highlights Ivorian talent and connecting artists with one another. She is the backbone of my research, it is women like her who are using art for modes of community, and expression.
La Nich photo studio. From left to right. Pope, artist and Mariette.
Images provided by Mariette Kouame’s instagram page.
Volume 2
