Francis Offman's Solo Show at P420 Bologna Uses Recycled Materials to Tell a Transcontinental Story

Francis Offman (born in Butare, 1987) presents a solo exhibition at P420 in Bologna, open until January 8. The show features works made from recycled and reused materials—never purchased—that weave an autobiographical narrative through abstract signs, diverging from recent figurative trends. Materials like coffee grounds (not powder) and paper reference his native Rwanda, which has banned plastic and is a major coffee producer. Cement and plaster evoke Italy, where surfaces separate people from nature. Offman was discovered through the OpenTour project, which scouts local talent. All works at P420 are sold, and pieces were also shown at Artissima by P420. Two works will enter the collection of Castello di Rivoli, which will host his next exhibition.