Frédéric Bruly Bouabré, also known as Cheik Nadro, born in 1923 in Zépréguhé, Ivory Coast, and passed away in 2014, was an influential Ivorian artist known for his unique and intricate artistry. Bouabré's work spans various subjects and disciplines, firmly rooted in the desire to document and memorialize systems of knowledge ranging from cultural traditions, folklore, and spiritual beliefs to philosophy and popular culture. His mission was to capture and codify the known universe, ensuring the transmission of this vast array of information to future generations.

‍

Bouabré's commitment to creating a visual record of his observations led him to develop an original pictographic alphabet to translate the oral Bété language into written form, thereby preserving his culture while also challenging the medium of his French colonizers. His remarkable body of work, which includes hundreds of colorful drawings, acts as a detailed compendium of human experience and the natural world, presenting a cohesive narrative that transcends cultural and geographic boundaries.

‍

His exhibitions at prestigious venues like the Museum of Modern Art in New York highlight his contribution to the global art scene. Bouabré's work not only serves as an archive of Ivorian and African heritage but also as a testament to the power of art in bridging cultural divides and fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the human story.

‍