Ouattara Watts

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner

A striking convergence of cultures and a dynamic fusion of artistic influences define the captivating oeuvre of Ivorian-American artist Ouattara Watts. Born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in 1957, the artist has consistently pushed the boundaries of contemporary art through his innovative and immersive compositions. Afro-Beat, another work of the same title, sold in 2022 for 781,200USD, setting the record for the price realised by a work of the artist at auction. Watts' artistic journey is a narrative of transcultural exploration and artistic hybridity. After being persuaded to relocate to New York City from Paris in the 1980s by Jean-Michel Basquiat, he quickly found himself immersed in the thriving East Village art scene, and has since become an indelible part of the contemporary art market.

A masterwork in its own right, Afro-Beat #2 encapsulates the distinct visual language which garnered Watts his reputation as an exceptional imagemaker, capable of reconciling seemingly disparate motifs within a remarkably harmonious composition. Ouattara Watts' work has found acclaim on an international scale, gracing the walls of prestigious institutions and private collections worldwide. His artistic practice transcends borders and challenges preconceived notions of identity and belonging. In the artist's own words, "Art is my passport to the world, a way to explore, share, and connect with others." Ouattara Watts has been exhibited at the Whitney Biennial, the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute, the Venice Biennale, and MoMA, among others.

The present lot, part of the artist’s Afro-Beat series, takes its title from the musical genre which itself draws from myriad influences: movements such as Highlife and Hiplife developed in West Africa are fused with elements from blues, gospel and rap pioneered by Black communities in North America. Most notably proliferated by Nigerian musical legend Fela Kuti, Afro-Beat can be described as the modern manifestation of the creativity and resilience of the African diaspora in the musical realm. Watts imbues his work with the same spirit of synthesis and spirituality. The composition features an assemblage of textual and numerical elements which allude to religious and computational forms. Layers of acrylic paint, collage elements, and found objects create a tactile and multi-dimensional surface that invites viewers to explore its intricate textures. Visual motifs commonly associated with precolonial African sculpture grant the composition a sense of spirituality and transcendence. 

Afro-Beat #2’s vibrant colors and rhythmic patterns create a sense of celebration, as if the canvas itself is alive with the spirit of cultural exchange and artistic innovation. Rendered amongst Watts’ dense hypnotic painted elements, these symbols coexist with abstract forms and gestural marks, resulting in a composition which exudes an almost trance-like quality, inviting viewers to embark on a visual journey through Watts' personal lexicon of symbols and signs. It is this singular artistic vision which has distinguished Ouattara Watts as a leading contemporary artist globally.