Boris Nzebo (Cameroon, born 1979) Madame Trottoir signed and dated 'Boris Nzebo 09' (lower right) acrylic on canvas 120 x 120cm (47 1/4 x 47 1/4in). Footnotes: Provenance Acquired from the Jack Bell Gallery, London in 2013. Saatchi Collection. Exhibited London, Saatchi Gallery, Pangaea: New Art from Africa and Latin America, 2014 London, Saatchi Gallery, Pangaea II: New Art from Africa and Latin America, 2015 Literature Saatchi Gallery, Pangaea: New Art from Africa and Latin America, 2014, p.137 Boris Nzebo started his artistic career painting signs for barbershops in Cameroon's largest city and economic capital Douala. This experience acted as a catalyst for Nzebo's growing fascination with the representation of different hairstyles. A medium of creativity and perfectionism used to convey identity, social status and ones political stance. For example, in the present lot the subjects hair dominates the canvas. Nzebo has carefully and meticulously illustrated different styles, such as the corn row braids at the scalp, the delicate strand falling on the subjects face and the tumbling ponytail. The plaited heads of his subjects are reminiscent of the late Nigerian photographer J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere' who focused on the beauty of hair braiding. The vivid layers and fine lines are also undeniably influences by the works of Patrick Caulfield, who simplified scenes with graphic, block colour. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com