The career of Roxane Mbanga, a multidisciplinary artist of Guadeloupean, Cameroonian and French heritage, offers a unique perspective on the evolution of contemporary art and the construction of identity. Based in Paris, Roxane deconstructs clichés and shapes a unique vision of creativity that is at once authentic, committed and innovative.
Can you learn to be an artist?
Roxane Mbanga defines herself as a multidisciplinary artist, exploring fashion, film, graphic design, photography, writing and performance. Her career path, far from the beaten track, bears witness to her determination not to conform to pre-established frameworks. From the age of 14, photography became her first medium of expression, marking the beginning of an artistic vocation nourished by daydreaming.
His choice to study at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, a school renowned for its conceptual approach, enabled him to develop an artistic practice without limiting himself to a single discipline. This multidisciplinary approach is at the heart of his work, where each medium – be it photography, video, graphic design or performance – contributes to telling a story and creating spaces for reflection that envelop all the senses.
Her complex, multicultural identity has strongly influenced her art. Born and raised in Paris, with roots in Cameroon and Guadeloupe, Roxane traveled from an early age, notably to Africa and the Middle East. This deep bond with Africa led her to take a sabbatical year on the continent in 2019, an experience that marked a turning point in her career and self-perception.
In Nigeria, she discovered a vibrant cultural scene. However, the trip also shed light on her perception of herself as a mixed-race Westerner in Africa, confronting her with the dynamics of privilege and colorism. This awareness reinforced her desire to integrate these notions of identity into her work, transforming her intimate experiences into a political and social artistic statement.
NOIRES, an original project
The “NOIRES” project (with a silent “e”) is the most accomplished expression of this identity and activist approach. Initiated in 2021, this project was born out of the second wave of the Black Lives Matter movement and Roxane’s need to express herself in the face of the realities of racism and tokenization. “Noir(e)s” is a series of immersive installations that represent Roxane’s “dream home”, a space of rest and respite for black women, a place of communion where they can meet, discuss and recharge their batteries.
Each “NOIRES” installation is a room in this nomadic house, traveling the world to gather women’s voices and offer activating workshops. From living rooms to backyards, balconies to bathrooms, each space is designed to be a place for exchange and sharing, as demonstrated by the “tea time” organized for her “Spill the Tea” exhibition at Galerie 193 in Paris.
Roxane underlines the importance of these moments of feminine intimacy, where discussions, even those that may be perceived as “gossip”, become a strength, a way of protecting oneself and not carrying the burdens alone.
Initially, Roxane’s hope was that “NOIRES” would serve as a bridge for a wider audience to understand the realities of black communities. However, she realized that it’s impossible to understand an experience without having lived it. So, “NOIRES” became a space “for us”, a place created by and for black people, where they can see themselves, find each other and remove their “masks” and “armor”.
The ambition to make this nomadic house travel is also a way of thanking and giving back to the people who have collaborated with it, by bringing the work to meet its public.
The artist-entrepreneur
Beyond her artistic approach, Roxane Mbanga embodies a new model of artist: that of the entrepreneurial artist. Far from the cliché of the cursed, isolated artist, she manages her career with pragmatism and diversity. Her income comes from multiple sources, including workshops, art director roles for brands, and other varied projects. This versatility is a strength that enables her to be present on different poles and industries simultaneously.
Her role as Artistic Director for Iamisigo, Bubu Ogisi’s Nigerian fashion label, is an eloquent example of this versatility. Based in Paris, Roxane collaborates remotely with a team spread between Lagos, Kenya, Switzerland, Berlin and London. The job demands rigor and organization, with regular calls and the use of collaborative tools. Her role is that of an “orchestra conductor”, ensuring that all creations fit into the rich and complex universe of IamIsigo, a brand that lies “on the edge between art and fashion”.
Roxane recognizes the challenges of working with artists, where egos can be present, but emphasizes the mutual enrichment these collaborations bring. Her experience as artistic director also feeds into her own artistic practice, whether in terms of the themes she tackles or the group work methods she uses. She is the epitome of the contemporary artist who must be an “entrepreneur”, managing her communications, logistics, social networking presence and website.
Creating a cultural space in Africa
Roxane Mbanga’s ultimate dream goes beyond current exhibitions and collaborations. “NOIRES” is the premise of a larger project: the creation of a cultural space in Africa. This ambitious place would showcase the know-how of the various black communities – African, Caribbean, diasporic – and offer a space for learning and reconnecting with these cultures. It would be a holistic place, where people could eat, drink, learn through exhibitions and history courses, and even relearn ancestral languages.
This “big house” project in Africa would be an extension of the conversations initiated in his installations, always in collaboration with experts and communities. It testifies to a long-term vision, in which each stage of his career is a brick added to this cultural edifice.
Roxane Mbanga doesn’t just create art; she builds bridges, deconstructs prejudice and invites a reappropriation of narratives and identities, offering an inspiring model for the future of the cultural and creative industries in Africa and beyond.
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