Barthélémy Toguo: Faith Can Move Mountains

Cat. Villa Merkel, Galerie der Stadt Esslingen

Exhibition catalogue, edited by Andreas Baur
text (German/English/French) by Andreas Baur and an interview by Hans Ulrich Obrist with the artist
128 p with 100 coloured illustrations
280 x 210 mm, softcover embossed

ISBN 978-3-86442-402-1

29,80 €

IF NOT NOW WHEN?

Barthélémy Toguo (*1967) has been focusing in his artistic practice on highly topical issues of identity and social belonging, like migration, flight, displacement, and the restrictions that stem from territorial borders and politics regard­ing sovereign rights. Against the background of his dual Cameroonian-French citizenship, he thereby explicitly adopts an anti-Eurocentric approach. He is above all concerned about the causes of ecological problems and their impact on society: drinking and industrial water shortages, maldevelop­ments in agriculture, the effects of climate change, corruption, armed conflicts, lack of economic develop­ment prospects, and much more. In his works – ranging from painting, drawing, sculpture, and per­for­mance to installation – he connects human concerns with nature: »What guides me is a constantly evolving aesthetic, but also a sense of ethics, which makes a difference and structures my entire approach.« Published in this book are works created especially for the Esslingen exhibition, as well as remakes and adapted installations; also ­included is a small retrospective overview of the ­artist’s work.

Exhibition:
Villa Merkel Galerie der Stadt Esslingen, 7/8 – 23/10/2022