Espace Bolo
Laboratory and gallery, Douala.
Settled in Douala since late 2015, Edith Mbella founded Espace Bolo there: a laboratory supporting young artists, an exhibition venue and an online commerce project for made-in-Africa art and design.
A name, an image
“Bolo” means “pirogue” in the Duala language. The choice of word states the intention: a vessel that links the banks, carries works and people, and belongs to the river city that hosts it.
A laboratory for young artists
Espace Bolo supports emerging artists: advice, introductions, frameworks for showing work. The aim is to give them the codes of the art world without removing them from their own gaze. Portfolio workshops, group critique sessions and one-to-one meetings with the artists supported.
An exhibition programme
- “Équation rythmique Solution 3”: an exhibition bringing together major names of Cameroonian plastic arts.
- “Héritage”: an exhibition combining painting, fashion design and photography.
- Participation in the Nuit des idées of the Institut français du Cameroun.
Democratising art, shedding its elitist image.The line of Espace Bolo · presentation of Espace Bolo
An e-commerce project
The venue comes with an online sales project for made-in-Africa art and design, conceived to widen the audience beyond the gallery’s walls. The online shop will open in stages, starting with a first selection of pieces by artists supported by the lab.
For the contemporary artists followed, see contemporary African art; for upcoming exhibitions, events.
Frequently asked questions
Going further
What does “Bolo” mean?
In the Duala language, “bolo” means pirogue: an image of passage, carrying and transmission.
Is Espace Bolo open to the public?
The space is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm, and by appointment on Mondays.
Can one exhibit there?
Interested artists can send a file via the contact page. The file includes a presentation of the practice, six to ten images and a short statement of intent.
Next step
Discover Espace Bolo.
Describe your piece in a few lines and attach photographs: the reply is confidential.