From Paris to Douala
A timeline, 1998 to today.
A career is better read in places than in titles. Here are the main stages of a path linking Parisian galleries, Catalan and Madrid walls, then the banks of the Wouri.
Paris — discovery
She frequents the galleries of the Left Bank and the Marché aux Puces, where she discovers Central African ritual art.
The first piece
She acquires a Bangwa maternity figure, the first work in her personal collection.
Paris and Brussels — apprenticeship
Introduced by the dealer René Garcia, she refines her knowledge with advice from Marc Léo Felix (Basin Art History Research Center, Brussels). The milestones below are given by year.
Barcelona — the Oba African Art Gallery
She founds and runs the gallery, active until 2010, with Didac Caparros.
Exhibitions and lectures
Thematic exhibitions and lectures for national and international bodies, including Casa África.
Madrid — the Edith Mbella Gallery
She opens and runs her gallery, devoted to tribal art, design and contemporary African art, until 2015.
Douala — Espace Bolo
“Bolo” means pirogue in the Duala language. The place is both a laboratory supporting young artists and an e-commerce project for made-in-Africa art and design.
Exhibitions and meetings
Exhibition programme at Espace Bolo, including “Équation rythmique Solution 3”, bringing together major names of Cameroonian plastic arts; participation in the Nuit des idées of the Institut français du Cameroun; the “Héritage” exhibition (painting, fashion design, photography).
What this path reveals
Three constants emerge. First, the to-and-fro between Africa and Europe: today’s practice inherits both knowledge of objects in their land of origin and of the market in which they circulate. Second, teaching: lectures, thematic exhibitions, support for artists. Finally, loyalty to a single standard, that of authenticity.
For the full biography, see Edith Mbella.
Frequently asked questions
Going further
Why Douala after Madrid?
In late 2015 Edith Mbella settled in Douala to found Espace Bolo, combining support for artists with e-commerce for made-in-Africa art and design. Her personal path remains in the background of this professional account.
Does the practice still work in Spain?
Yes, the founder lives between Cameroon and Spain. Appointments can take place in Douala, in Spain or by video call.
Next step
An object, a story to illuminate.
Describe your piece in a few lines and attach photographs: the reply is confidential.