Memory, post-colonialism and the making and forgetting of history were the central themes of Goddy Leye’s work. Following studies in literature and philology at the University of Yaoundé (1986-1991), from 1987 to 1992 Leye worked under the tutelage of renowned Cameroonian artist and art historian Pascal Kenfack. Thereafter, he completed his training at the National Institute of Arts, Bamako, Mali (1994), the ZKM Karlsruhe Centre for Art and Media, Germany (1997), the 18th Street Arts Complex, Santa Monica, California (1999), and the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam (2000). His work has been shown across the world, in a wide variety of venues, including major exhibitions and festivals, such as Africa Remix (2004-2005) and the Johannesburg Art Fair.
Leye was the founder of a unique space and concept: The Art Bakery, located in Bonendale, Cameroon. Here, emerging artists were welcomed free of charge for periods ranging from one month to several years and mentored by Leye in a simultaneously open-ended and rigorous environment for learning and exchange. Key, up-and-coming artists on the central African arts scene today got their start at the Bakery (Guy Wouete, Luc Fosther Diop, Justine Ngaga, Boris Nzebo). Community workshops and early arts training were key foci of the Bakery as well.
https://sparck.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Losing-Goddy.pdf
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