Pascale Marthine Tayou's 'Colorful Line' Exhibition at Richard Taittinger Gallery Explores Cultural Hybridity

Cameroonian artist Pascale Marthine Tayou is showcasing 'Colorful Line,' a collection of 40 pieces at Richard Taittinger Gallery in New York, running from May 2 to August 22, 2018. The exhibition's title alludes to the concept of 'color line' introduced by W.E.B. Du Bois, which Frederick Douglass originally used to describe racial segregation. Tayou's art delves into themes of migration, cultural conflicts, and racial inequality. Notable installations include 'Code Noir' (2018), depicting African figures against barcode designs, referencing the 1685 French laws on slavery. Additional works are 'Bogo Bear' (2018), 'Graffiti Neon' (2018), and 'Series 'Love Letters'' (2015). Despite his global acclaim, Tayou's presence in the U.S. remains limited, with his last New York exhibition nearly 15 years ago. This exhibition is highlighted in the September 2018 issue of ArtReview.