Ndayé Kouagou's First Italian Solo Show Opens at Collezione Maramotti

Ndayé Kouagou (born 1992, Montreuil; lives and works in Paris) presents his first Italian solo exhibition, "Heaven's truth," at Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia, running until July 26, 2026. The show is part of the 21st edition of Festival Fotografia Europea 2026, themed "Fantasmi del quotidiano." The exhibition features the video installation "A coin is a coin" (2022), in which the artist questions change. At the opening, Kouagou performed with poet and actress Salber Lee Williams, deconstructing and reconstructing language to arrive at the phrase "Please Be Yourself." A publication conceived by the artist as a longer version of the show's story is planned. The second iteration of "Heaven's truth" will open at Heidelberger Kunstverein on September 3, 2026, co-producer of the new works alongside Collezione Maramotti. Some of these works will also be shown at the 18th Lyon Biennale (September 19 – December 13, 2026). In an interview, Kouagou describes himself as more a writer than a visual artist, emphasizing that all texts are his own. He cites John Giorno as an influence for reaching audiences beyond contemporary art. His practice, rooted in motion design and DJing, now centers on language and performance, aiming to engage viewers directly and pose questions without answers.