Auriel Bessan, alias Patricorel, is a Beninese artist born in 1990.
He graduated in History from the University of Abomey-Calavi in Cotonou.
He has exhibited in Togo, Benin and France. He recently made a collaboration with Mr Eazi, a Nigerian star singer. He is represented by the Agama gallery (Toulouse) which has been promoting his work since 2018. Many international collectors are interested in his work and have acquired his works, including the writer and former Christie’s expert, Pierre Amrouche.
Armelle Malvoisin noticed him as an artist to follow in the new Beninese scene, with a focus in Beaux-Arts magazine (March 2022, page 135). Artistes Actuels met him in his studio in Cotonou.
Patricorel has recently taken part in several exhibitions: at the Case Nomade in Porto-Novo (March 2022 and summer 2023), at the Galerie AF in Lomé (January 2023) and at the Centre in Cotonou (February-May 2023). Her work is currently on show at Gallery 1957 in Accra and in London (September and October 2023).
The Agama gallery was created in 2011 by Guénaël Fassier. It specialises in ancient African art as well as contemporary art, with a particular focus on contemporary African creation.
In collaboration with the AF gallery in Lomé (Togo), Guénaël Fassier has exhibited artists such as Alphonse Sallah and Camille Tété Azankpo (Togo), Gert Chesi (Togo – Austria) as well as local artists from the Toulouse area (Pavan, Manu Frigerio).
Since 2018, the Agama gallery represents the Beninese artist Patricorel and promotes his work. It devoted a solo exhibition to him in April 2022, which met with great success, crowned with numerous sales. It collaborates with Artistes Actuels to present the work of this talented artist (https://www.galerieagama.com/exposition-de-patricorel/)
The new African art scene is in full swing. Its creativity is exceptional and talented artists are numerous.
Patricorel is without hesitation one of them. His creations are powerful in their graphics and their message.
He still offers affordable works which allowed me to take the plunge several times.
Connoisseurs known for their expert eye pay him special attention (see Beaux-Arts magazine of March 2022)
His stock is rising, rising, rising ….
After several exhibitions in West Africa (Benin, Togo) and France, Patricorel was awarded first prize in the comic strip competition organised by the Fondation Zinsou in 2013.
Patricorel has established himself as a committed and ‘political’ artist on the contemporary art scene. Through his work, Patricorel denounces societal issues such as the dictatorship of social networks, child labour, exodus, racism (…). He also takes a calmer look at everyday life in Cotonou – leisure, consumerism, relationships – the animist traditions that permeate his country, and recounts some childhood memories.
Patricorel has recently taken part in several exhibitions: at the Case Nomade in Porto-Novo (March 2022 and summer 2023), at the Galerie AF in Lomé (January 2023) and at the Centre in Cotonou (February-May 2023). Her work is currently on show at Gallery 1957 in Accra and in London (September and October 2023).
