Lot 59: Samuel Fosso (Cameroonian, born 1962) Self-portraits, a set of three 16.5 x 16.5cm (6 1/2 x 6 1/2in) (sheet size); 15.3 x 15cm (6 x 5 7/8in) (image size) unframed

Self-portraits, a set of three
all signed and bear studio stamps (verso)
silver gelatin print
16.5 x 16.5cm (6 1/2 x 6 1/2in) (sheet size); 15.3 x 15cm (6 x 5 7/8in) (image size)
unframed
(3)

Samuel Fosso was born in Cameroon in 1962, grew up in Nigeria, and fled to Bangui in the Central African Republic at the time of the Biafran War where, at the age of 13, he set up his own 'Studio Covenance', which still operates today.

The present lot is comprised of three of Fosso's early self-portraits, dating from the period 1975-1980. Fosso has been quite candid about his inspirations: "I wanted to show how good I look. That's what it was all about." These early portraits are an important reflection of African youth culture at the time, as well as Fosso's later development as an artist. His self-styled and staged work has drawn comparisons with that of Cindy Sherman and has been exhibited in the Guggenheim museum, New York, and Tate Modern in London, among others.